Mold can be a huge problem in homes, especially during winter. If you think you may have a mold issue in your home, it is important to take action right away. In this blog post, we will discuss how to prepare your home for a mold remediation session. We will provide tips and tricks to make the process as easy and stress-free as possible!
Resist the urge to scratch the mold on your own and get a professional: One of the best pieces of advice we can give you about mold remediation is to not mess with it. Mold spreads easily through the air, and unless you have the right knowledge and tools for mold remediation, you will mess up more than a few things. So, when you spot a mold overgrowth in your home, stop what you are doing, inspect the spread from afar and call a professional mold remediation company for consultation and remediation.
Ask for an air quality sample: An air quality sample is one of the techniques to discover the concentration of mold within your home. The test usually requires a swab of the affected area, which is then sent to the laboratory for analysis. If you have allergy-like symptoms and suspect mold might be the reason, ask your doctor for an air quality sample.
Start with a clean slate: Once you know that you will soon have professionals coming over to inspect and remediate your mold problem, it is time to do some housecleaning – quite literally. Since these experts need unfettered access to all the nooks and crannies of your home, declutter each room, move the furniture around, open all doors and windows (weather permitting), turn on all lights, and generally tidy up each space as much as possible. Not only will this ease the inspection process but will also give the remediation team ample room to work in.
Don’t move anything from the affected area: While it is important to perform a house cleaning session before you call in the experts, ensure you don’t remove anything from the affected area. The spores from the mold can quickly spread to other areas of your home and contaminate them. So, if you must remove something from the site, place it in a sealed bag before taking it out.
Ventilate: If the weather permits, open all doors and windows in your home to get some fresh air circulating. This will also help reduce the moisture levels in your home, which is one of the main reasons for mold growth.
Turn off all HVAC systems: Once you have opened up all doors and windows, it is time to turn off any HVAC systems in your home. These systems tend to circulate air around your home and can easily spread the spores from the affected area to other parts of your house.
Cover all exposed food: If you have any exposed food in your home, cover it up before the remediation process begins. This is because the mold spores can easily contaminate your food and cause health problems.
Don’t expose your children and pets: If you have children or pets in your home, it is important to keep them away from the affected area. Mold spores can cause respiratory problems and other health issues in both children and animals.
Wash contaminated clothes with hot water and detergent: While it is a good idea to throw away all contaminated clothes, if you absolutely need them, wash them in hot water and detergent. While some people may recommend using bleach to wash the clothes, bleach has been shown to destroy the fabric. So, if you must keep clothes exposed to mold, wash them with hot water and detergent.
Take pictures inside and outside your home: This is more for your protection than anything else. Before the remediation process begins, take pictures of the inside and outside of your home. This will serve as evidence in case the mold problem returns or if there are any damages caused during the remediation process. Remember, taking pictures doesn’t mean you don’t trust your remediation company, but rather security against any mistakes they may make.
Be prepared to leave the house: Depending on the severity of your mold problem, you may be required to leave your home for a few days while the remediation takes place. If this is the case, make sure you have everything you need – clothes, toiletries, medications, etc. – packed and ready to go ahead. It is also important to make arrangements for your pets as they will not be able to stay in the home during the remediation process.
Mold remediation is an important process that should not be taken lightly. If you think you may have a mold problem in your home, follow these tips to prepare for the remediation process. By taking the necessary steps to prepare your home, you can help make the process go smoothly and ensure that your home is free of mold spores. Contact your mold remediation company if you have any questions about mold remediation or need assistance preparing for the procedure. They will be able to guide you through the detailed process of mold remediation.
