When you become a homeowner, you quickly discover that problems can easily arise. One common problem that homeowners must deal with is mold. The substance can easily grow under sinks, in basements or in the walls, becoming an issue in the home. Mold and mildew can start to grow within 48 hours of water exposure and can easily spread throughout the home. Due to health concerns, mold must be removed as quickly as possible. But how do you get rid of it? Will bleach or vinegar help?
Harmful Substance
Mold can be a harmful substance in the home to the body as well as the structure of the home. For humans, every person will react differently when exposed to mold. Some people are more sensitive than others. Mold exposure can cause health issues like stuffy nasal passages, cough, throat irritation, eye irritation and even skin irritation.
For the home, mold that is allowed to sit for a period of time can damage the structure of the home. Flooring and walls can become weak and need to be renovated to avoid further damage.
If you are like most homeowners, if you discover mold, you want to work quickly to get rid of it. Small amounts of mold can be removed by the homeowner, if the right technique is used.
Bleach and Vinegar Treatment
Both bleach and vinegar can be used to remove small areas of mold growth. Vinegar is a better option if you are removing mold from porous materials. Bleach will only kill mold spores on the surface of materials and not deep down. Vinegar will penetrate a porous material and kill the mold from the root.
When cleaning small areas of mold, your best bet is to use white distilled vinegar. Protect yourself when cleaning by wearing a mask and gloves, so you are not exposed to mold. Use a spray bottle to spray undiluted vinegar on the affected area. Let the vinegar sit for about an hour so it can be absorbed by the mold.
Scrub if needed and then clean the area with warm water to remove the vinegar and mold residue. Once rinsed, spray the vinegar on the area again and let it dry naturally. This helps to fully kill the mold.
If you have a large space affected by mold, it is best to contact a professional company to schedule mold remediation for your home.
Remediation Services
With remediation services, a professional company with expertise in mold removal will arrive at your home and inspect the damage. The goal is to restore your home back to normal and prevent any future issues of mold. The source must be decontaminated, and any airborne spores removed.
Remediation services will remove all mold in a safe manner, including black or toxic mold. The contamination will be contained, ensuring that the rest of property is free and clear of mold. Efforts are made to destroy the root cause of mold to ensure no outbreaks take place in the future. Airborne contamination is also removed so that everyone in your home is safe from potential sickness.
If you find small trace amounts of mold, give the vinegar method a try. However, larger sections or more dangerous looking mold, such as black mold, should be handled by the experts.