Mold removal or remediation is a very daunting and dangerous process. Because if you don’t do it correctly, it can impose a health risk to you and those within your homestead. Improper removal can also increase the mold infestation in your house.

Whether to do it by yourself or hire a mitigation pro will depend on a few factors. Depending on how the remediation is done, you might need to move out because of the health risk of molds.

Although removing molds requires qualified personnel with experience, there are circumstances when the professionals won’t be needed. Here are tips to help you out when deciding whether to remove molds by yourself or hire a pro.

When to remove mold by yourself

However dangerous it can be, there are cases where you have to take responsibility to mitigate the molds by yourself. Under such circumstances, it won’t be necessary to hire a mold abatement professional. These include:

When the molds cover a small area

In this case, calling a professional to get the work done can be expensive. Therefore consider doing the task yourself as is the most suitable option.

When the molds grow on surfaces that are hard to clean

For instance, carpets, it will be easy and cheaper to remove the mats and replace them than trying to mitigate the molds. If you know how to do the work as required, there will be no need to call for professional help.

When they are on easy to clean surfaces

You can remediate the molds by yourself if they are growing on easy to clean surfaces, such as tabs, sinks, metals, or glasses. Such coatings are easy to clean and won’t need any qualified expertise to do the job.

If you don’t have any health problems dealing with it

Or when you don’t have any complicated health problems that can be worsened by molds. Since there are health problems that can get worse upon exposure to molds. Therefore, before going ahead with the mitigation plan, you should see a doctor get an assurance.

Once you check and find that you are safe, you can get ahead with the mold abatement process.

Do-It-Yourself mold mitigation steps.

Molds are very undesirable and create unpleasant sights in a home. To some extent, these molds can cause respiratory diseases such as allergies, which are harmful to your health. They can accumulate over time and become hard to mitigate.

In such scenarios hiring a professional can be much costly, so it is vital to learn DIY mold abatement steps. The steps will help you with the basics of mold removal, and the proper ways to safely clean up.

Step 1. Identify the mold

Mold infestation is common in almost all homes especially those in humid areas. The proper way to get rid of them is to remove them before they accumulate. When removing molds, it is essential first to identify them.

It is not hard to identify those molds as they are black and can grow into large colonies. If you suspect what you see, carry out a mold identification test that involves the use of a bleach solution.

To identify the molds, drop a few drops of bleach to the black spots. If the spots disappear, then they are not molds but mildew. But if the spots remain, that means that is dirt mold.

After identifying the mold, then take safety measures like putting on protective clothes.

Step 2. Put on protective gear and observe safety measures.

Mold removal is dangerous, and it needs extra care while doing it. To ensure that mold doesn’t stick to your clothes, remember to put on protective gear. The clothes you put on should be disposable, put on goggles to protect your eyes from mold particles. Assemble all the necessary equipment for the cleanup process.

Step 3. The actual mold mitigation process

Once you are in the right grooming, proceed to the remediation process. Find the cause of such molds and open walls to find them. Use a mold-cleaner to thoroughly scrub the surfaces and leave the solution to dissolve in the wall.

Use a vacuum cleaner to remove the mold debris from the wall. After you are done with this, install negative air machines to remove the smell of molds and mild soap.

Step 4. Dry the surface

Molds are caused by moisture, and cleaning involves the use of water. So, if you clean and leave the walls without drying them, molds will reinfest them. To avoid that, you should wipe the walls and the surfaces after cleaning.

Speed up the drying process by increasing ventilators in the area. Run a dehumidifier and open windows and doors and even use air movers to speed up drying.

When to hire a mold remediation pro

Having looked at the circumstances under which you can carry out a remediation process by yourself. It is also important to note the scenarios that require a pro.

• When the molds have infested on a large area beyond three by three feet as per the Environmental protection Agency.
• If the molds develop after the house floods with contaminated water such as sewage water. In such cases, the molds can be hazardous hence calling for qualified personnel.
• When molds have grown in your ventilation, air conditioning, and heating systems, such HVAC systems require knowledgeable people to handle them.
• If you are not sure of how to correctly do the job.
• When you have a medical or health problem that might be worse upon exposure to mold, the condition can be an immune disorder, allergies, or even asthma.
• If you are already diagnosed with a mold-related disease, or you are experiencing their symptoms. The symptoms include runny nose, wheezing, sneezing, shortness of breath, coughing, headaches, and other chronic infections.

Conclusion

Molds are common, and they can pop up at your home at any time without warning. Due to the hazardous dangers they can impose on one’s health, it is essential to remove them. Regardless of the extent of the infestation, it is advisable to remove them.

Health is wealth, make the right decision before deciding who should remove them, you, or a professional.