When it comes to getting rid of mold, most people grab bleach. Although bleach does work, the mold usually comes back in weeks or even days. This is because mold is actually caused by a water problem. Mold will always return if your home stays wet. We explain how to get rid of mold in your home once and for all.
How Do You Get Rid of Mold in a House?
The best way to get rid of mold is to dry it out and then clean and disinfect your home. You should always wear pants, long sleeves, rubber gloves, safety goggles and a ventilator when dealing with mold.
1. Find and Fix the Water Source
The first step to getting rid of house mold is to fix the water problem. Whether it’s a leak, flood or condensation, start by finding the cause. If you don’t address the problem, the mold will always come back.
2. Dry Out Your Home
Next, you need to use fans and dehumidifiers to dry out your home. Although house fans will work, they will take two to four times longer than structural drying fans.
You can get the right tools at most equipment rental companies for a few hundred dollars. This will significantly speed up the drying and help limit mold damage.
3. Remove Damage
Then you need to throw away items that are covered in mold. While you can clean non-porous surfaces like metal and glass, mold can actually grow inside walls, flooring and cabinets. In that case, you will need to cut out and throw away the damaged sections.
4. Clean and Disinfect
The most important step to getting rid of mold is cleaning and disinfecting. First, wash the area with soap and warm water. After air drying, disinfect with bleach.
Mix one cup of bleach into a gallon of water and either wipe down or spray everything. Since bleach can stain fabrics and carpeting, use rubbing alcohol instead. However, do not mix it with water first.
5. Repair and Rebuild
Once you get rid of the mold in your home, you can make repairs and rebuild. Depending on the amount of mold damage, this could mean anything from painting your walls to installing new drywall or carpeting.
If you can’t get rid of mold on your own, our restoration specialists are here to help. Licensed and certified, they will repair the water problem and remove the mold permanently. Call 1-888-443-3110 now for a free estimate on mold remediation and removal services.
