There is Mold in My House. Now What?
First, let's go over a quick primer on what mold is. All molds are fungi, and share biology with mushrooms and athlete's foot, for example. The mold that is toxic to humans is relatively uncommon in the fungi kingdom, meaning most kinds you find in your house or business aren't dangerous. However, some are dangerous, so any mold you find indoors must be cleaned up and completely removed.
The best plan is to contact a Black mold remediation harrisburg pa company to get rid of the mold if it is more than 36 square inches.. If you see mold growth, there is probably more behind walls, in attics and elsewhere.
Before you contact mold removal services, the first step is to stop the mold from getting worse. Do this by turning off any HVAC systems. Then, work to stop the moisture source that brought the mold. For instance, make sure damaged roofs are no longer dripping into your ceiling and stop the flow of any water that has seeped into your basement. Then, contain the problem. You might tape off the room with disposable tarps, for example.
Should you get a professional service to help or can you complete the cleanup on your own? Beyond thinking about the magnitude of the damage, think about any exacerbating health issues that make you susceptible to risk.
Once you've decided, there are important things to do. If you're going at it alone, start with gathering proper safety gear and cleaning supplies. You'll need airtight goggles, clothing items that are easy to wash and that cover your extremities, and mold-safe masks and gloves. You should also get dedicated rags and a disposable tarp or two that can help catch mold spores as you remove them. Health officials agree that you should never leave drywall that has mold on it anywhere you find it because it can't be cleaned thoroughly. Whatever you do, don't clean with bleach, especially if you're dealing with a serious mold damage problem. It's completely ineffective for soft surfaces, afterall, and only somewhat effective on hard surfaces. It's also potentially toxic because it can cause fumes and should not be mixed with ammonia.
Chances are that if you're concerned enough about mold problems to research, you will want a professional mold removal service. It is highly recommended that you find a mitigation service in your geographic location, so call for if you live there. This will make certain that you hire technicians with specific experience.
Before you schedule an appointment with anyone, make sure that they are licensed and registered properly and that they are certified by organizations such as the Restoration Industry Association, the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration and Contractor Connection. You may also make sure the company knows and follows federal mold cleanup recommendations whether your mold is in a business or a residence.
You should clean up any mold you find to stop further mold damage, and do it now. If you don't, mold growths will keep eating on your home or business and can ruin your possessions.
The ideal way to handle your mold growth is to get mold damage cleanup assistance. Don't delay.