Under the right conditions, mold starts to grow on surfaces within a few hours of water exposure. Therefore, if you don't act fast, your surfaces will harbor mold spores. If you have minor plumbing leaks, you may think about removing mold yourself, especially if it is visible on the surfaces. While this technique is easy and affordable, it isn't the best choice. Read on to find out the top pitfalls of DIY mold removal and why you need to hire a professional for mold remediation.
Inaccurate Inspection and Testing
Most DIY mold removal techniques target visible mold. Therefore, for you to remove mold, you must see it. Unfortunately, this isn't how the fungus works. The white, black, green, or brown spots you see on your surfaces are just the tip of the iceberg. Mold spores are microscopic, so they are not visible to the naked eye. They float in the air and can be blown to other rooms in the home.
Efficient mold removal requires proper testing of your indoor spaces to locate the mold spores. This exercise isn't done visually—you must conduct air sampling. Air sampling involves taking samples of the indoor air and surfaces to test for contaminants. This is the best way to determine the extent of mold infestation for proper remediation.
Unsafe Exposure to Mold
Mold exposure can cause severe respiratory complications in your household. Therefore, one should exercise care when removing mold to prevent exposure. When cleaning up the affected areas, you will require personal protective equipment such as gloves, goggles, and a respirator. However, even if you use personal protective equipment during removal, there is a risk of exposure.
Remember, mold spores are microscopic. Therefore, getting rid of the visible mold on the surfaces doesn't address the spores in the air. Without proper remediation, these spores can linger in the air for a long time. You may end up inhaling them and suffering complications. After removal, you need to test the air again to ensure there are no mold spores.
Improper Removal and Remediation
Do-it-yourself mold removal involves cleaning up the visible mold. Oftentimes, the mold grows back due to improper removal. Professional mold removal is a thorough process that aims at both removal and remediation. It involves these crucial processes:
- Removal of all porous surfaces that have mold.
- Cleaning and disinfecting of affected non-porous surfaces.
- Application of mold inhibitors on mold-prone surfaces.
Your contractor will also carry out post-remediation testing to ascertain there is no mold in the indoor air.
Do-it-yourself mold removal may seem like a good idea, but it can worsen the infestation and set you up for costly mold removal. Therefore, contact a mold removal expert for professional help.
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