Mold Removal in Homes

Key Causes Of Mold And Moisture Problems
Key causes of moisture that lead to mold are plumbing leaks, roof leaks, gaps in window and door flashing, inadequate ventilation in bathrooms and kitchens that fail to discharge moisture to the outside, blocked vents for boilers, water heaters and furnaces that result in moisture-rich combustion gases discharging to the house's interior, and leaky or uninsulated ducts.

Often, mold thrives in basements, and the damp air from there and crawl spaces can cause mold to migrate throughout the house. A number of things can lead moisture through the house's foundation slab and/or the foundation walls and into the basement. One of the chief culprits is an improperly designed or maintained rain-management system (the house's gutters, downspouts and the underground pipes that lead rainwater away from the foundation). DampRid Disposable Room Freshener can greatly reduce the moisture in the air, making it harder for mold to grow and thrive. 

Another source of moisture entry into the basement is from ground water that penetrates the foundation from improperly designed or blocked foundation drains, cracks in the foundation walls or floor and improper grading that leads surface water toward the house rather than away from it.

Basic Cleanup Procedure
1. Get rid of any water and dry out the area.
2. Cover or remove nearby furniture. Seal off vents and ducts.
3. Wash off surface mold. Although we've always recommended a chlorine bleach solution to do this, the checklist does not. It recommends a foaming solution of baking soda and vinegar or a cleaning solution that includes trisodium phosphate (TSP).
4. Dry items that aren't moldy with 48 hours. Dry and clean anything that is salvageable, otherwise bag and discard it.
5. Remove and bag all mold-contaminated debris.
6. Clean all surfaces, then vacuum the area with a HEPA-filter vacuum.

Assessing Cause And Extent
Mold can be formed beneath finished surfaces. So it's important to do a thorough analysis of the structure to find what's lurking below. The checklist recommends the following.

1. Use a moisture meter to test the dampness of suspect walls and surfaces.
2. Remove a small section of a wall or ceiling if you suspect a hidden problem.
3. Look for peeling paint, stains on siding, or bulges in walls or ceilings that indicate building materials swollen by moisture.
4. Mold usually forms dark patches, but it can appear in other colors. Look for stains along the edge of wallpaper, paneling and baseboards. Pull up or remove a small piece in a suspected area, but stop if you see heavy growth and call a professional.
5. If you find a major problem, seal off the area as best you can from the rest of the house.

Again, after you've found the moisture, you have to trace it back to its source and prevent the moisture from entering the structure.

Finally, if you suspect that you have a severe mold infestation, you need to find an engineer, home inspector or mold-remediation specialist to inspect the structure and recommend how to correct the problem.

If you want to do the work yourself, remember that even small-scale mold removal jobs requires caution. Wear a dust mask capable of filtering mold spores, gloves and goggles. Wear a disposable painter's coverall when doing the work and discard it when the job is done.

SUMMARY

We at Damp Rid hope the information in this guide helps you prevent mildew, mold and other musty odors in your home. We always like to hear comments or suggestions from our customers, and we invite you to call us on our toll free customer Help Line 1-888-326-7743. We also make our products available via our e-commerce website. Just call or write us, and we will be happy to help you.