Removing Mold from Walls Part 1

4/30/2018 (Permalink)

We know mold and mold remediation

A major mold infestation can ruin your home and your health. Don’t let that happen. Mold releases microscopic spores that cause health effects, as well as irritating, even injurious, odors. Try to avoid mildew and mold and deal with a small amount of mold as soon as you see it.

You may find mold on drywall or painted interior walls. Mold’s more likely to grow in kitchens and bathrooms where you have moisture and humidity. Your interior walls can also become mold breeding grounds if your roof or exterior walls let water in. In severe cases, when drywall remains wet, mold can begin to grow and penetrate throughout the drywall and you must remove and replace the entire sheet of drywall.

Step 1: Closely Examine the Area

If you spot mold on any interior wall, first assess the damage. How large an area is affected? What is the condition of the wall? Has the integrity or strength of the drywall been compromised? If your drywall is  compromised, crumbling, bowed out, or covered with black or bluish splotches, remove and  replace it. If the wall is structurally sound but covered with mold, you should be able to remove the spots with a cleaner and a lot of scrubbing.

Use caution, especially if the mold is extensive. Disturbing big infestations of mold can be bad for your health, particularly if you are an allergy sufferer or have a weakened immune system.  At times, you’re better off calling the mold professionals SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield to remediate your walls. This is always true after extensive water damage from flooding or another major natural catastrophe. In those cases and others, you probably have "black mold." As a general rule, if the mold covers more than 10 square feet call in the professionals. Or call your local public health department and ask for mold-testing advice.

We know mold. Call SERVPRO Bloomfield/Enfield At (860) 216-2785

Step 2: Prepare the Surrounding Areas & Yourself

To fight mold you have to use some pretty strong and potentially harmful substances like bleach or commercial mold-killing chemicals. That means you want to protect surrounding surfaces like flooring, window frames, and nearby walls from any spills. Cover your floor with plastic drop cloths. Tape them in place so they don't move. Cover nearby window frames, walls, etc. with plastic sheets securely taped into place. Have some old towels handy to catch any spills. It’s also important that you wear protective equipment. Wear waterproof rubber gloves and goggles.

More on What to Wear, How to Prepare & Clean Up

Wear old clothes and shoes. Either launder or throw them away when you’re done. Wear a special N-95 or P-100 respirator along with goggles and long rubber gloves. Set an old box fan or a cheap new one in a window to ventilate the room while you work. Throw the fan out when you’re done cleaning, because the spores are almost impossible to clean off. Tape plywood or cardboard around the window openings so the spores can’t blow back in. Wrap and tape moldy carpeting in plastic, and double-bag mold-infested debris in garbage bags for disposal. To control airborne spores, moisten moldy areas with a garden sprayer while you work. Turn off your furnace and air conditioner and cover ducts and doors to contain spores. Keep your wet/dry vacuum outside when you vacuum.

For Steps 3 and 4 Read Removing Mold from Walls Part II.

Mold Help Is Here
The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has specialized training and experience in fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, water damage, mold remediation, and natural disaster cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime.

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