Mold Clean-up
Maida Services, Inc. does not provide removal, abatement, or the remediation of Mold. However, we have provided the content below for your information. Professional cleaners or remediators may use methods not covered here. Additionally, an EPA-Registered Fungicide is recommended to professionally kill mold. While disinfectants and biocides may kill mold spores and take away their ability to reproduce, these products should not be used alone in addressing a mold growth problem. Often, the mold-contaminated material must be completely removed from the building.
The key to mold control is moisture control. It is important to dry water damaged areas and items within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth. If mold is a problem in your home, eliminate the water source, clean up the mold and get rid of any excess water or moisture. Absorbent materials that become moldy may have to be replaced.
CAUTION: Some molds should not be abated, or cleaned up by the average homeowner. Some molds are highly toxic or pathogenic and can cause severe health problems, or even death in some individuals. If you are not sure, seek the advice from an Industrial Hygienist or a Mold Abatement Specialist.
Protect Your Health
- Ensure excellent ventilation in the area
- Wear protective gloves
- Use appropriate face mask when performing cleanup. Respirators can be purchased from hardware stores; select one for particle removal (sometimes referred to as a N95 or TC-21C particulate respirator). Respirators are not as effective removing bleach fumes, so minimize your exposure when using bleach or other disinfectants.
- Wear clothing that can be discarded
- Try cleaning a small test patch of mold first. If you feel that this adversely affected your health, you should consider paying a licensed contractor or professional to carry out the work.
- Ask family members or bystanders to leave areas when being cleaned
- Work over short time spans and rest in a fresh air location
- Air your house out well during and after the work
Soap Cleanup First Before disinfecting contaminated areas, clean the areas to remove as much of the mold (and food it is growing on) as
possible.
- Identify and correct the moisture source
- Use a non-ammonia soap or detergent or a commercial cleaner, in hot water, and scrub the entire area affected by the mold
- Use a stiff brush or cleaning pad on block walls or uneven surfaces
- Clean, disinfect, and dry the moldy area
- Bag and dispose any material that has moldy residues, such as rags, paper, leaves, or debris
Basic Mold Cleanup Chlorine bleach can kill mold. Remember, bleach is a strong chemical that should be handled carefully; it can damage many surfaces and items. For mold patches:
- Bathe the stain in chlorine bleach, full strength
- Keep the affected area soaked in bleach for 15 minutes
- After you have killed off mold patches, carefully wash down the entire area with bleach cleanser (see below), rinse thoroughly, and dry quickly
- Rinse clean with water - A wet/dry vacuum is handy for this
Bleach Cleanser Mix one part chlorine bleach, four parts water, and a few drops of non-ammonia dish washing detergent to cut leftover surface grease and grime.
Continue to Mold Cleanup here.
