Molds are fungi that reproduce by forming tiny spores that are virtually dispersed around us. These microorganisms grow actively whenever their spores land on wet spots in your homes. It is quite probable to have molds without even knowing or noticing their presence.

The existence of these lurking household creatures makes homeowners a bag of nerves. Mold growth left unchecked can not only ruin your home but can also pose great risks to your well-being. Thus, it’s such a nuisance having mold infestations in homes and offices.

Before we reveal pro tips and strategies on how to get rid of mold, let’s first brief you on what causes molds, how can they be detected, and what are the associated health hazards. Having a wealthy knowledge about these essentials can help you unload the burden of molds growing at your residence.

What Causes Molds to Grow?

Unfortunately, it is the climatic condition of Cincinnati which makes an ideal breeding ground for these molds. You may experience recurring mold problem in your area due to:

1. Humid weather
2. Leakages in pipes and roofs
3. Leaky basements
4. Flooding and water infiltration
5. Condensation
6. Poor ventilation

Where Can You Find Molds?

This is sinister about molds that they can ruin every intact thing they encounter provided it is damp. Nothing remains safe from mold attacks- be it your walls, carpets, appliances, furniture, insulation, air ducts, clothes, books, ceilings, window sills, refrigerator drip pans, attics, chimneys, and the like.

How to Spot Molds in Your Homes?

Mold growth is the only thing that pesters householders considerably. If you are living in Cincinnati and have molds in homes, you’re not alone.

Due to excess dampness, almost every home gets subjected to mold infestations-either small or big. Leaving molds unaddressed can stir up respiratory issues in normal individuals as well as in patients with pre-existing medical concerns. Besides, this very negligence can be a major cause of year-round allergies. This is why it is significant to get rid of mold at first glance.

You can see green, yellow, black, or white outgrowths near kitchen sinks, bathrooms, or grout lines. Also, the musty odor is a tell-tale sign of mold existence. Molds can be smelled easily before they can be seen.

Additionally, you can observe surface wall deterioration, peeling off paint or wallpaper, and water stains or patches on walls and ceilings.

How to Get Rid of Mold?

Here are given some of the handy tips on throwing away molds simply and quickly.

When it comes right down to Cincinnati mold, always keep one thing in mind- mold removal alone will not fix the problem. Together with mold removal, you need to make sure that molds do not return. If molds can still make a way to your home, this suggests the issue has not been treated effectively. When molds become this big of a problem, approach mold remediation specialists.

It is always suggested to call out a remediation team whenever you suspect or encounter bigger infestations.

So, what can you do about your concern regarding mold?

Read on to learn how to get rid of mold effectively.

Primarily you need to detect the problem areas and get to the root cause. Check your basement for flooding and water leaks.  If not mold-free, at least you can render your place mold-resistant. Get rid of mold might be as easy as repairing water leaks and damaged gutters or it may require major excavation or interior basement waterproofing. All this depends on the extent and type of contamination.

Mold Remediation

Mold removal, remediation, or water damage restoration are the concerns not to be taken lightly.

When it comes to emending moldy issues, it’s wise to take the service of the remediation and restoration company. However, if the molds have inhabited a small area (less than 10 square feet), you can take mold removal as a do-it-yourself project.

Steps to Get Rid of Mold

This is a critical process that needs to be handled efficiently.

1. Wear protective clothing and equipment

When remediating molds, you are indeed taking a rigorous action by disturbing the molds from their hidden spots into the air. This makes the indoor air filthy. Due to this very reason, protective clothing and equipment- filter mask, goggles, gloves, gown-should be worn for safety.

2. Contain mold spores

For heavy mold damages, seal off the room to keep the spores and other contaminants from spreading. Cover doorways, windows, air ducts, vents, and other outlets using plastic sheets and tape.

Do not let dust to enter as spores being light in weight get easily scattered into the air with the dust particles.

3. Maintain negative pressure

In the messed-up area, try to maintain negative pressure. You need to prevent the moldy air from entering the previously uninfected areas. Avoid cross-contamination by ducting filtered air from the outside.

4. Get rid of mold using household agents

For non-porous surfaces

A variety of products can be used to abate Cincinnati mold. Out of many, the top-notch cleaning agents are listed below:

1. Bleach
2. Vinegar
3. Baking soda

1. Wash off molds with bleach

Eliminating indoor molds with bleach is a good approach to consider. Bleach is well-known for killing indoor molds, thereby sanitizing the surfaces and making them resistant to mold growth.

But to your dismay, bleach is a potent killing agent only for molds and mildews that grow on non-porous surfaces such as tiles, bathtubs, countertops, etc.  Unfortunately, chlorine bleach lacks the power to penetrate molds growing behind or beneath the porous surfaces such as drywall.

The chlorine part of the bleach remains on the porous surfaces and only the water fraction in bleach gets absorbed by the material. This provides molds with moisture to feed on.

Therefore, using bleach on porous surfaces is a waste of time, money, and energy. It may kill the superficial molds but cannot target the hidden culprits that aggravate the problem for the occupants.  Not being able to get to the root allows mold to go undetected for quite some time. Even the most vigilant homeowners face this problem.

But fret not! The remediation specialist will help repair the damage to the porous surfaces as per the policy.

How to apply?

1. Dilute chlorine bleach in water – one-part bleach and ten parts water (1:10 solution).
2. Using a spray bottle or a sponge, moisten the affected (non-porous) surfaces, objects, and materials with the prepared solution.
3. Clean the surface thoroughly and don’t forget to dry it well afterward.

Kill molds with vinegar

Spray distilled vinegar onto the damaged surfaces and let them stand for about an hour or two. Then clean the area with water and dry it properly. Moping the materials and floors with vinegar is one of the best ways to keep molds in check.

Mold elimination with baking soda

Baking soda is a natural home cleaner. It is mild yet efficacious and is also harmless. It can also be employed to deodorize. It lets you get rid of musty/earthy odors given off by molds in your homes and buildings. Plus, baking soda has the capacity to absorb moisture. This property prevents molds from returning.

What to do?

1. To a small amount of water, mix one tablespoon of baking soda
2. Shake well to dissolve
3. Scrub the surface using a sponge or a brush soaked in baking soda solution
4. Rinse the surface with water and let it dry

For porous surfaces

If the matter is of a porous surface such as drywall, carpet, etc., the specialist will open up the wall to catch the molds beneath and behind it. It’s advisable to cut the section of the wall beyond the obvious damage. Discard all the moldy materials in a double bag.

If water damage has been overlooked for long, replacing the entire wall may be the end solution to the heavy mold problem. When possible, the pro may remove and repair the affected items such as upholstery, wall sheathing, wooden materials, etc.

HEPA Vacuuming

Once you are done with the clean-up and disposal process, the HEPA vacuum cleaner must be used to entrap the residual spores, allergens, and dust particles in the HEPA filters which are kept inside the vacuum.

Thus, HEPA vacuuming is the best strategy to reduce spore count.

Prevent the mold from returning

Often the routine household activities promote mold growth in your home. You need to ensure that your activities do not build up high moisture in your residence.

Remediation without prevention is of no worth. It should be your priority to prevent the molds from coming back once the problem has been remediated. Otherwise, you are likely to invite the molds back into your home.

1. Have a sharp eye on the water leaks
2. Keep your AC units clean
3. Maintain proper ventilation and airflow
4. Install exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens
5. Avoid setting carpets in homes
6. Change filters on your furnaces and air conditioners periodically
7. Always keep your home clean and dry

Wrap-up:

Mold problem is common to have in homes. Molds normally require 24-48 hours of moisture to start their proliferation. This implies that if you are someone having wetness in your locality for about 24 hours, you are running the risk for mold contamination.

Beware that mold problem if overlooked can eventually be costly to fix and what’s even worse is that molds when in abundance can produce allergens and irritants that will most likely weaken your immune system.

Tossing out molds from your living space can be a do-it-yourself project in case of small infestations. If you have a heavy spore count in your home, call the remediation team to get rid of mold and make your environment healthy and clean again.