Quick Removal Of Mold At Your Home During Spring Cleaning
Mold is a fungus that grows from spores that circulate through the air. The spores only grow into mold when they come into contact with a damp surface. Mold growth can be prevented, but once it starts, mold removal is the only way for you and your family to be safe from its effects, which can include agitating existing conditions like asthma and allergies, among other things.
Throughout this article, we’ll look at some basic methods that homeowners can use to get rid of mold once they notice it growing on a surface in their house. There are also some types of mold that are proven to be toxic and, as a result the spores can have some seriously adverse health effects on anyone who breathes them in, so precautions must be taken when it comes to dealing with mold should you ever find it.
Where People Find Mold
Because mold grows on damp surfaces, some of the most common places that homeowners find it growing include bathroom walls, because of shower heads, as well as basements, attics, crawlspace and concrete foundations, which can often be exposed to large quantities of water during storms.
Many homeowners tend not to think about these places after it rains, which means that the mold has nothing but time to grow to the point where it can become a serious threat if someone comes near the place where the mold has grown. At the very least, the mold that has grown will create new spores that it can spread to other parts of the house, so immediate mold remediation makes sense.
Let’s take a quick look at how to remove mold if you comes across it:
1. First, keep in mind that you’ll want to wear gloves and respirator. Gloves for keeping the mold off of your hands and the respirator mask to keep from breathing mold in. It would also be worth your while to cover yourself from head to toe before beginning your mold removal. You should also seal the area to prevent further spreading of mold.
2. Once you’ve found the mold, you want to apply a light mist of water to the surface where the mold is. After that is done, use soap and a brush to remove as much of it as you can and then use a disinfectant to kill any mold spores.
3. Use plastic bags to dispose of any materials that are infested with mold after your mold removal job is done to your satisfaction. You’ll also want to thoroughly wash any clothes worn during the process. You can often verify that the job was done completely when you no long notice the musty or mildew type smell that mold emits.
These quick tips are meant to give you a general overview of how mold can be removed so that you and your family are safe from the adverse effects that the fungus can inflict on people who breathe in the spores.
Along with spring comes the annual spring cleaning. So when you’re conquering cluttered closets and attacking ancient attics, remember that they shouldn’t be the only things on the to-do list: your heating and cooling system needs attention too. Since proper up-keep can increase a system’s efficiency and therefore decrease electricity bills, cleaning your system can save money.
Preventative maintenance inspections are the best way to reveal air leaks, rust, corrosion and dust build-up in your air conditioning system. A properly maintained unit will have increased efficiency and can decrease energy bills because it’s not working as hard to keep you comfortable. In this economy every penny counts, so while a properly maintained unit can keep you comfortable, a maintained AC unit also helps reduce costs in utility bills.
When an air conditioner is turned on after sitting around all winter, water may be produced in the form of condensation on cool indoor coils, and drains from these coils can become blocked from dust and algae growth. A blocked drain can cause flooding or water damage in the area surrounding your indoor unit. Often preventable complications can cause major equipment malfunctions.
To keep your air conditioner unit in excellent condition, follow these five tips:
1. Clean or replace air filters regularly to help the AC unit run more efficiently.
2. Open vents in all rooms – closing them could restrict air flow and cause system malfunctions.
3. Remove shrubs, grass and leaves from the condenser coil and within three feet of outside unit.
4. Install a programmable thermostat – it automatically changes the temperature when away or asleep.
5. Inspect and caulk windows and doors annually where needed. This can help your system to maintain a more even temperature.
To avoid equipment malfunctions and other headaches, homeowners should hire a professional technician to perform a tune-up on their air conditioner, which includes examining ductwork, checking the refrigerant level and tightening the wiring connections. This is also a good time to check your home’s safety equipment to ensure your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly.
Avoid the annual headache with spring cleaning and reap the benefits of spring savings instead.
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