We’re going to contiunue a topic we started a few weeks ago. We were talking about Mold. It’s a somewhat disgusting theme, but frankly here at GAMA Air we feel that the more you know the better you can keep your family healthy and comfortable. So what can you do if you have water damage or find mold growing in your home?
Do I Clean Up the Mold Myself?
First things first. Should you clean it up, or hire someone else to do so? The answer depends on several factors. One factor is the size of the mold problem. Is the moldy area less than 10 square feet, that is, a patch of about 3 feet by 3 feet? Then typically, this is a cleanup job most can handle themselves.
However, if there is a lot of water damage, or there is mold growth covering more than 10 square feet, then you will benefit from hiring a professional service provider. If you choose to hire a contractor, then make sure they have experience cleaning up mold. Do your research, check their references, and make sure they follow the recommendations published in one of the following guidelines or another from a professional or government organization:
- “Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings”, published by the Environmental Protection Agency
- Mold remediation guidelines of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)
Another factor to consider is whether your home’s central heating and air conditioning system is contaminated with mold. Have you identified a moisture problem, or is there is mold growing near an air intake? Cleaning mold out of the ductwork of your HVAC system is not a do-it-yourself job. And do not run the heating and air system if you know or suspect that there is a problem with mold contamination. Doing so could spread mold to other areas of your house.
A further factor to weigh is whether the water damage or mold growth has been caused by contaminated water such as sewage. If so, then call in a professional service company with good references and experience in cleaning up and fixing damage caused by contaminated water.
The last factor we will bring up is if you have health concerns. Of course, even the healthiest person should never touch mold with their bare hands. And wearing gloves, goggles, and a mask during a cleanup project is essential. Also, some types of mold present more of a health risk than others. There are home test kits you can get to help you identify whether you have ‘black mold’ or not. Lastly, if you suffer from respiratory problems, allergies, or an immune deficiency problem, then consult a health professional before taking on the task of mold cleanup.
So if it seems like a DIY job, then stay tuned for an upcoming blog entry from GAMA Air with tips to clean up the mold problem in your home.
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