3 Important Questions to Ask About Residential Mold

As a homeowner, you invest constantly in the place you live and call your own. You know that keeping up the value of your home is important, especially if selling the home in the near future is a consideration. Home improvement shows and do-it-yourself tutorials are enormously popular. However, all the upgrades you make to your home will be insignificant if an underlying mold problem persists behind the walls or under the floors that you thought were in top shape.

Mold thrives in damp conditions. If you live in a particularly damp area, or if your home has had flooding issues or roof leaks, mold is much more likely to be a problem in your home. Humidifiers and leaky showers also tend to contribute to the mold issue. In addition to the decreasing the value of your home, mold poses significant health risks to you and your family.

Will Mold Destroy Your Home’s Value?

Depending on how severe and widespread the mold problem is in your home, the value of your home (were you to try to sell it without first addressing the problem) will indeed be significantly less. Buyers will expect to get a good deal on a home that has had a mold infestation in the past — to say nothing of one that currently has mold problems.

Mold removal is best accomplished by contacting a mold removal specialist who will come to your home and assess the situation. To get rid of the mold entirely, removing certain walls or floors may be necessary. More importantly, though, taking care of underlying moisture and ventilation problems will ensure that the mold will not return once it is removed.

Can You Address The Issue Yourself?

The Environmental Protection Agency suggests consulting a mold professional if the affected area exceeds 10 square feet. If you do attempt to handle the mold yourself, some precautions are necessary. Proper attire for mold cleaning includes a dust mask, gloves and goggles to avoid breathing in the spores. Important to note, though, is the fact that mold specialists are the only ones who can perform mold testing and determine what type of mold you have in your home. This allows them to prescribe what treatment is best for your unique situation.

What’s The Best Way to Clean Mold?

There are DIY methods for cleaning mold, and in some cases, they can be effective in removing mildew or surface mold. Be aware, however, the residential mold infestations tend to lurk in deeper, invisible locations. Cleaning surface mold yourself may actually be a waste of time, in terms of really solving the problem.

Don’t wait!

Residential mold lurks as a dangerous threat to homeowners, and whenever any sign of mold is present, residents should not wait to address the issue. Any type of mold growing in the home can cause severe health issues and significantly decrease the value of your home.