By John Voket, RISMedia Columnist
RISMEDIA, July 30, 2010—If you begin smelling a “musty” odor or see small black or white specks along your damp bathroom or basement walls, it is likely the start of a mold issue.
Unfortunately, some mold is hidden growing behind wall coverings or ceiling tiles. And even dry, dead mold can cause health problems, so always take precautions when you suspect mold.
According to the folks at the Washington State Department of Health (DOH), mold is often found in areas where water has damaged building materials and furniture from flooding or plumbing leaks. Mold can also be found growing along walls where warm moist air condenses on cooler wall surfaces, such as inside cold exterior walls, behind dressers, headboards and in closets where articles are stored against walls.
If you discover a lot of mold damage (more than ten square feet), health professionals say you should consider hiring a cleaning professional. And if the moldy area has been contaminated by sewage or is in hidden places, absolutely hire a professional.
If you decide to clean up small spots of mold on your own, the Washington DOH offers these tips:
-Use Protection – Wear goggles, gloves and breathing protection while working in the area. For large consolidated areas of mold growth, you should wear an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) approved particle mask.
-Seal the Area – Seal off the area from the rest of your home. Cover heat registers or ventilation ducts/grills. Open a window before you start to clean up.
-Remove Items – Remove all your furnishings to a mold-free area. Clean the surrounding moldy area then follow the cleaning directions provided below for the items you removed and the new space.
-Bag Moldy Trash – Bag all moldy materials and tie off the top of the bag. Bring them outdoors and place them in your garbage container right away.
-Scrub Surfaces – First wash the area that has been affected by mold with a mild detergent solution, such as laundry detergent and warm water. Allow to dry. Then wipe with a solution of 1/4 cup bleach to one gallon of water. Wait 20 minutes and repeat. Wait another 20 minutes, then apply a borate-based detergent solution and don’t rinse. This will help prevent mold from growing again. A borate-based laundry or dish washer detergent has “borate” listed on the ingredients label.
-Clean and Wash – Give the entire area a good cleaning—vacuum floors and wash any exposed bedding or clothing.
-Monitor – Check regularly to make sure mold has not returned to the cleaned-up area.
For more information, visit www.doh.wa.gov.
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