Removing Mold

Removing mold from your home and your belongings following a natural disaster such as a flood, hurricane, or tornado can seem daunting. It can prove to be a long process, but there are several steps that you as a homeowner can take to get rid of the mold that is likely beginning to develop in your water-damaged home.

Mold can be a health hazard, so remember to always wear protective clothing, gloves, safety glasses, and a mask when you’re cleaning up your home and belongings. Always work in a well-ventilated area when possible. If the mold has progressed rather quickly and is prolific, you might consider leasing a respirator to wear during the clean up process, especially while pulling up carpet or replacing drywall.

Some molds are more of a powdery substance rather than a slimy one. To keep the mold from dispersing when touched, be sure to sprinkle water over the moldy areas before beginning the cleaning process. Mold spores travel in the air, so if they are disturbed, they’ll go airborne and possibly cause more of a health problem.

Carpets that have been through a flood really don’t have a chance of being saved. Mold gets into the fibers of the carpet and deep into the padding and can’t be removed simply by cleaning or steaming the carpet. The best course of action with carpet is to pull it all up, place it in a bag, seal it, and put it on the curb for trash day. Prior to laying down new carpet and padding, you’ll need to completely disinfect the surface, whether it is wood or concrete.

Effectively removing mold from drywall is also virtually impossible. The best course of action is to remove all waterlogged drywall and then go another foot up and remove that section as well. This way, you’ve eliminated the possibility of the mold seeping further up into the wall and reproducing again after the repairs are completed.

Wood furniture or wood structures within the home can be scrubbed to remove the mold. In some cases, if the wood is untreated and the mold has gone into several layers of the wood, sanding may be necessary in order to remove all the mold.

Leather on furniture or other items affected with mold can often be cleaned using a moist cloth and a solution of 1-cup water to 1-cup denatured alcohol. Wipe with the solution first and then dry it with a clean towel.

A bleach and water solution is always a must for disinfecting your home once the mold has been removed. Use one gallon of water with ¼ cup of bleach added to sanitize appliances, bathrooms, kitchens, and floors. You can rinse with fresh water and then dry with a clean towel or rag.

Once you have finished cleaning and disinfecting your home, throw away any rags, towels, gloves, or masks used when removing mold from your home and furniture. Seal them inside a garbage bag and put them into the trashcan.

Removing mold from your home after a natural disaster or water leak can seem like a never-ending task. It simply takes time and patience to allow things to dry out and then to disinfect them properly. If you feel at any time you may not have eliminated the mold, professionals are available to assist you in this area to ensure you won’t have mold returning in your home once repairs have been completed.