How to Spot Mold — and Get Rid of It!

How to Spot Mold — and Get Rid of It!

August 3, 2018

There aren’t many things that are as simultaneously dispiriting and aggravating as discovering a bunch of mold has not only formed but spread. Although you’d probably rather just ignore it and pretend it never happened, the right course of action is to do whatever possible to make sure it goes away for good. Mold poses a serious risk to your health if left untreated, and the sooner it’s been taken care of, the better.

If you’re not prepared to undergo a grueling battle against this fungus, though, you might be in over your head. It’s a dangerous organism, and if you’re not careful you can end up making the situation worse than when you started out. American Air and Heat has a simple guide to help you identify mold in your home, and our expert technicians can implement a comprehensive mold solution for you and your home in the event it becomes too large a problem to solve on your own.

Spot the Source

Mold, in just about every case – if not all – is going to appear where the conditions are dark and moist. That means places like the bathroom, where moisture is created and just sits there, is an ideal location. Mold is usually bad about hiding itself, however, because it gives off a distinct smell that will lead you to it. When you get rid of mold, take extra care to go after the source it’s coming from and correct the conditions that led to its formation in the first place.

Ventilate, Ventilate, Ventilate

If you’re going to make sure mold isn’t able to return after you remove it, introducing adequate ventilation is paramount. Open windows, use exhaust fans, or anything else you can think of to get the air moving and prevent the stale, damp air from becoming stagnant.

Chemical Concoctions

There are a couple of chemicals that work as ideal weapons against the malicious mold.

• Spray mold with 3-percent hydrogen peroxide and let it do its magic. After a while, the mold should go away.
• Bleach is great as well, as long as it’s on a surface that isn’t porous (think mirrors or bathroom tile). Use a ratio of 1 gallon of water per cup of bleach to create a solution that breaks mold up.
• Borax works well also, again in a 1 gallon of water to 1 cup of chemical ratio. Just make sure not to wash away the chemical after you’ve applied it to the mold-infected area.

This goes without saying, but any time you decide to roll up your sleeves and engage the mold directly, wear personal protection equipment. Eye protection, a respirator and rubber gloves are essential, as is closing off vents, doors and windows to ensure the mold spores don’t escape.

For larger projects, these home remedies might not be as effective. In that case, a call to a professional is in order. American Air and Heat has all the tools and expertise you need to get your home’s mold problem under control, and we’d be happy to help you out. Give us a call at 800-421-2665 and watch your mold problems become a thing of the past!

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