Mold is messy, dangerous, and just a pain to deal with. It happens all too often in people’s homes. The good news is sometimes, it can be cleaned and remediated without much effort at all.
However, in spaces like the basement where dampness and darkness reign supreme, it’s not uncommon to find serious mold issues and recurring problems that need attention from a professional mold removal company.
A mold removal specialist will have the mold and air tested. This will determine what type of mold you’re dealing with and how it will need to be handled. The test is necessary to gage the conditions before and after. After the specialist have removed the mold, another test will need to be completed to determine if the treatment was successful. It’s always a good idea that the testing company and the removal company are separate entities.
Safety Comes First
When dealing with mold, remember that it can be dangerous to breathe for too long especially if you have health or breathing issues. Mold spores can get into the air and travel into your lungs. It can affect your children and even your pets. By letting professionals clean the home, you’ll avoid the risk to your family and know that it’s being done by the best people with the best equipment for the job.
Never touch or disturb mold if you aren’t sure that it’s safe. Basements could have dangerous black mold that is toxic and you don’t want to put yourself at risk. That’s also why it may be better just to hire the restoration professionals and let them do the work.
Will Bleach Work with Mold Removal?
Some people want to just dump bleach on the mold and call it a day. That may or may not be partially effective, but that’s not going to resolve your entire issue. The bleach may work temporarily but the mold could return or you could potentially spread the mold by trying to treat it. Basements are full of porous surfaces and require special care when it comes to cleaning up mold and water damage.
A little bit of bleach might seem like it’s good enough to get the job done, but it’s really only going to offer a short-term solution when you need something more reliable for the long-term. Only clean with your own products and methods if advised to do so by a professional restoration team.
This is why you should always make sure that you call professionals to come in to test the mold and assess the situation. Consider what they recommend, and usually that will be a professional evaluation and cleaning.
Removing Humidity is Key
Flooding, water leaks, high humidity and condensation all provide the ideal environment for mold to thrive.
To prevent mold from growing or reoccurring, you’ll want to get the basement’s climate right as soon as possible. A dehumidifier is essential for a damp basement. A basement that has too much humidity in the air will be more likely to form mold. If you can’t get a dehumidifier right away, fans may help dry out the moisture in the meantime. If you’re waiting on professional assistance, at least you’re doing something proactive in the meantime.
Mold removal is something that should be tested and remediated professionally. Keep this in mind and make sure that you put your safety first so that you can get your basement back and keep your family safe along the way.