How to Treat Mold Safely

Your home is supposed to be a peaceful oasis where you can retreat and let the stress of the day melt away. However, your house can also host a variety of dangers that can lead to numerous health problems for the unsuspecting. The walls, carpets, and basements of your home can easily become a breeding ground for a common fungal growth called mold. Mold can swiftly become a headache for homeowners, especially in the wet, cold climate of Connecticut.

If you suspect there might be mold in your home or in a property you are considering buying, rest assured that you can reclaim the space and create a safe, healthy environment for your family. Follow these steps for how to detect, prevent, and treat mold safely in your home. 

By some estimates, nearly 70 percent of homes in America have some sort of mold presence. With numbers like that, homeowners can feel like it is not “if” but rather “when” they will come across mold in their homes. Homeowners in Connecticut should check for mold at least once a year to ensure that any new growth is caught early and can be treated quickly and successfully. Mold is likely to grow where there is moisture and can build up on anything from paper to ceiling tiles, wood, and insulation. Mold can even grow on dust, fabric, and upholstery, making anywhere in your home a potential breeding ground.

Homeowners should be sure to check the roof, windows, carpets, furniture, drywall, and around pipes in their homes. Special care should be taken to inspect areas that are not used often, like the basement and attic, or where there is a lot of moisture, like in and around the shower. Any place that is exposed to water should be considered a candidate for mold growth.

There are over 100,000 different types of molds that homeowners can find in their houses. Mold comes with a wide variety of appearances. In general, anytime you see splotches of green, black, yellow, or red, chances are high that you are dealing with mold. Often, mold will have a velvety or fuzzy appearance and can have a musty odor.

While not all types of mold are a threat to your health, they all can cause unsightly splotches in your home and reveal underlying issues with the structure of the property. If you come across mold in your home, the best course of action is to try to get rid of it. There are numerous types of treatments homeowners can buy or make themselves. For those wondering how to treat mold safely, the best option is to consult a certified mold specialist.

Mold can cause a myriad of health complications ranging from slight irritation to severe illness. Many homeowners living with mold can experience a stuffy nose, coughing, sore throat, or itchy eyes. For those who have asthma or are immunocompromised, mold can be especially dangerous. Mold can induce serve reactions in people who have asthma or are allergic. Some people can get lung infections from chronic exposure. If you are treating or examining mold yourself, it is essential to be safe and protect yourself from breathing in spores. At a minimum, you should wear an N-95 respirator, gloves, and eye protection.

Some molds respond well to at-home treatments and can be treated by homeowners taking the proper safety precautions. Homeowners looking to treat mold themselves have a number of commercial options to choose from. Many of these products are sprays that can be used like a typical cleaning spray. Concoctions made using vinegar with water can be effective on some types of mold. However, these at-home treatments are not as safe or effective as those done by professionals. Not all surfaces react to treatments the same. Just because you were able to clean the tile in the bathroom, this does not mean the drywall in the basement will clean up as well.

Some treatments and cleaning techniques can even make mold worse and allow it to spread. The most efficient way to treat mold safely in your home is to hire a mold remediation specialist. These professionals have the knowledge, experience, and tools to test and eradicate mold from all areas of your home. If you want to ensure the mold in your home is eliminated thoroughly and correctly, contacting a professional is the way to go.

If you do not also treat the cause of mold in your home, even professional treatments will not last long. Mold can take over a space quickly, so prevention is key. Luckily, there are numerous steps homeowners can take to keep mold out of their homes, prevent spread, and improve air quality, creating a mold-free, healthy space for years to come.

Keeping your home dry is the best way to prevent mold growth. Anywhere water can get into the home can quickly turn into a breeding ground for mold. Leaky pipes, water damage to the roof, and too much indoor humidity can create a mold problem. Be sure to fix leaky pipes, keep your roof in good condition, and dry off any wet areas within 24 hours. Additionally, keeping the interior humidity below 60 percent can help prevent the growth of mold.

Proper ventilation and airflow in your home are essential in keeping a dry environment and preventing mold growth. Having adequate exhaust fans can prevent the buildup of moisture in your home and provide a healthier living environment. Be sure you have good ventilation in the bathroom and kitchen to keep condensation from accumulating. Clothes driers should also vent outside.

Lisa Campo is a certified mold specialist and a premier West Hartford Realtor. If you are in the market for a new home, hoping to sell your current property, or need advice on treating mold safely, give the Lisa Campo Team a call. With over 30 years of experience in the West Hartford area, they can answer all your questions and point you in the right direction.

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