How to Tell If You Have Mold in Your House
“Visible growth may seem like an obvious sign you have mold, but don’t forget to use your sense of smell,” the team at NADCA says. Sometimes a small amount of mold is assumed to be dirt, or mold may be lurking out-of-sight in your HVAC system—this is where your sense of smell comes in. “Is there a strange, earthy smell in your home that won’t go away, no matter how much air freshener you spray? Mold may be at the root of the issue.” That earthy scent is caused by microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs), or the gases produced by mold. If you suspect that mold may be hiding in your home’s air ducts, call in the pros to inspect your HVAC system and run tests for mold.
When to Clean Mold Yourself
“The general dividing line between homeowner cleanup versus professional remediation is whether the mold is covering under or above 10 square feet,” says David Ragsdale, a production operations specialist at SERVPRO. Also consider the location of the mold and how involved its removal might be. If there’s mold on drywall, removing it could reveal even more mold behind the finished surface, resulting in a more complex process. Plus, those with mold allergies should probably leave the cleanup to the pros. And what about cleaning mold from your home’s air ducts? Don’t even think about it, warn the specialists at NADCA. “It’s a complex process that requires advanced knowledge of HVAC systems, as well as specialized tools.” Use their directory to find a trained HVAC professional instead.
How to Clean Mold
What You’ll Need:
GlovesGooglesN-95 face mask Liquid dish detergent Scrub brushSoft sponge or cloth
Follow These Steps: Pro Tip: Avoid painting or caulking moldy surfaces. It may cover up the mold, but it’s not guaranteed to stop its growth and could lead to peeling paint later.
How to Prevent Mold in the First Place
Since no one really wants to spend a weekend scrubbing mold off the bathroom ceiling, your best bet is prevention. Mold needs moisture to thrive, so the first step is to look for signs of leaks or water damage throughout your home. “Some signs of possible moisture issues can include bubbled paint, uneven hardwood flooring, or discoloration of finished exterior or interior surfaces,” says Ragsdale. Fixing leaks as quickly as possible will help you avoid a headache later. To prevent mold in air ducts, you’ll want to regulate the moisture in the air. “Along with running a dehumidifier and increasing the airflow within your home, consider scheduling an air duct inspection and cleaning to help ensure no mold is hidden in your home’s ductwork,” the pros at NADCA recommend. Add this to the list of reasons to invest in a dehumidifier.
