Detecting, Cleaning and Preventing Mold

Mold can cause a variety of health problems if allowed to flourish. To help keep your home and business free of mold here are a few telltale signs that you might have a problem on your hands.

Though standing water is obvious, you may also have a leak or mold problem if:

• You see an unexpected increase in your water bill
• There are stains on your walls, floors or ceilings
• Your floors are damaged or warped
• Your paint or wallpaper is peeling
• You find corrosion on your plumbing valves and fittings
• You find patches of mold
• Areas of your home or business smell musty

The best way to fix a mold problem is to stop it before it begins. Clean up any water you find, trace it back to its source and ensure the leak is repaired. If you discover any mold you should deal with it right away, since mold can get out of hand quickly and cause severe health problems. There are several ways to clean mold from non-porous surfaces such as tiles, bathtubs and counter tops using household products like bleach. Porous materials such as wood and cloth cannot be cleaned with bleach because the mold killing agents in bleach cannot penetrate the surface, so it cannot eradicate mold growing beneath the surface. To remove mold from non-porous surfaces you should:

1. Prepare a solution consisting of 250 ml of bleach for every 4 liters of water
2. Apply the solution to non-porous surfaces with mold growth either by using a spray bottle or by using a bucket and a sponge or cloth.
3. Rinse the surface if it is to be used for food preparation or may be touched by small children or pets. Leave the bleach on if you can since it will inhibit future mold growth.
4. For areas that are prone to mold growth such as poorly ventilated bathrooms you should clean the surfaces once a week with the water and bleach solution to inhibit future mold growth.

If you discover mold on a porous material such as wood or cloth your best course of action is to throw the item away or call a professional mold remover like 24/7 Restoration. The Environmental Protection Agency also recommends that if you find any area of mold larger than 3 feet by 3 feet (approximately 0.84 meters squared) you should call in a professional mold remediation expert.

For more information about the hazards of mold, or to have mold removed from your home or business, call 24/7 Restoration today at 403.247.4365 and visit 247restoration.ca.