Mold has received press in recent years, and most people know that household mold can be dangerous. Mold should never be ignored. Waiting just allows the mold to grow, and the problem gets worse.
Entire buildings have been lost to mold because the owners procrastinated and didn’t deal with the situation properly or promptly. Having information on mold, including its structure and function, may prevent that procrastination.
People have become extremely ill as a result of living in mold-infested buildings, and many others have suffered from headaches, fatigue, and other low-level but irritating symptoms. Many people try to get rid of mold using improper techniques, however, and this can make the problem worse.
Bleach Doesn't Work to Get Rid of Household Mold
Tom Procich, a mold remediation expert with Guardian Preservation Services, stated that many people try to use bleach to kill mold, but that is ineffective. "Clorox Company itself states that bleach is not effective for mold remediation on porous materials such as cabinets and wallboard... it can actually feed the mold and make things worse.”
What should a homeowner or landlord do if mold growth is discovered or suspected? Can bleach or bleach-containing products ever be used? If there is a small amount of mold on a hard surface, such as the bathtub, he can use a mold/mildew product, such as Clorox bleach, or Tilex Mold and Mildew killer. The Clorox Company, manufacturer of Clorox ® Bleach, states that bleach may kill mold on hard surfaces such as bathroom fixtures.
Mold Removal Succeeds Stopping the Water Damage
The most likely cause of mold growth is water intrusion. Water intrusion often comes in the form of leaking pipes or condensation. First, the moisture problem must be resolved. The pipes must be repaired or replaced, or the condensation problem must be addressed.
After stopping the water intrusion, the mold may be removed. If the mold covers an area larger than ten square feet, or if the mold growth is on a surface such as a wall, ceiling, or cabinets, then the EPA's guidelines for mold remediation should be used. In most instances, a mold remediation specialist should be called.
What should a tenant (renter) do? A tenant should notify the landlord and ask the landlord to correct the moisture problem and call a mold remediation specialist. Many landlords attempt to handle the problem themselves (or ask the tenants to do so), using bleach or other chemicals that are not only ineffective, but dangerous. More states are enacting laws that force landlords to remediate mold properly.
In most instances, bleach and bleach-containing products should not be used to clean up mold. It is unsafe and ineffective, and it exacerbates the problem. In most cases, professionals should handle the mold remediation. A tenant should insist on proper remediation of the mold, and should research the landlord-tenant law in that state.
Traditional Mold Abatement Approach
Mold remediation companies specialize in removing mold from buildings. Two very different approaches are used: traditional mold remediation and enzymatic treatment.
Traditional mold remediation consists of removing contaminated materials, followed by chemical treatment. This drastic removal often involves ripping out cabinets, walls, floors, and ceilings down to the studs and floor joists. It requires disposing of all furniture, clothing and other belongings that cannot be treated. After chemical treatments, reconstruction must be done, which may be left to the homeowner. The homeowner must pay for all of this.
The homeowner must also replace all of the furniture and other belongings, and many insurance companies resist paying mold claims. Traditional mold remediation is the most common approach, and can be extremely expensive. Some homeowners have abandoned their homes rather than face the expensive and lengthy process of mold remediation.
New Way Mold Remediation Companies Get Rid of Toxic Mold
The second approach, known as enzymatic mold remediation, is a newly developed technique. It is faster, involves little to no destruction, and often costs much less than the traditional approach. Tom Procich explains that the new approach uses a patented enzymatic treatment that is fogged throughout the home.
The enzyme formulation digests the mold wherever the mold is – even if it is deep within the wood of cabinets or inside walls. Included in the treatment of a home is repeated HEPA vacuuming to remove the dead mold cells, which the Illinois State Department of Health says can still cause allergic reactions and other health problems in people who are sensitive or allergic to mold.
Mold Removal Compaies Are Not all the Same
As of this writing, Guardian Preservation Services is one of the few companies in the United States (and the only one in the states of Illinois and Indiana) that is licensed to use a mold-eating enzyme formulation that is now known as Guardian’s Enzyme®. Guardian is a company recommended by Service Magic.com
Guardian Preservation Services offers a unique guarantee that appeals to many homeowners and landlords. After the home has been treated, retested, and found to be free of mold growth, they guarantee that the mold will not return from that particular source for the lifetime of the building. Several traditional mold remediation companies cannot give any such guarantee of their work. Both approaches are effective if done properly, but homeowners may find one to be much more desirable than the other.
Jennifer Harshman - With more than 20 years of experience and education in her fields, she's also read more than one book for every day she has lived.
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