For small infestations, a mixture of home detergent and water combined with a sponge or brush might be all that’s required to eliminate mold from the timber in your house. In certain tougher cases, careful sanding or perhaps replacement is called for. But keep in mind that mold spores can be dangerous, so lots of infestations must be assessed by professionals with the correct training and removal methods.
Here are some things to consider when attempting to remove mold from wood surfaces:
- Dip a soft brush or sponge into the mixture and wash off the mold from the affected wood surfaces. As soon as you have removed signs of this mold, you might be tempted to provide the wood a last rinse. Do not do this. Additional water could trigger fresh mold growth on the wood, negating your attempts. Your aim is to wash the area and make it less inclined to encourage mold growth when possible.
- Do not use bleach. Porous surfaces like drywall and wood give the mold lots of nooks and crannies to hide in taking mold spores from the reach of even the most careful bleach scrub. The mold will just re-grow from within these micro-crevices shortly after you finish. Additionally, bleach loses its capacity to kill mold rapidly after it’s produced. Lastly, bleach is a powerful chemical, posing risks to your own eyes, skin, and kids.
- If cleaning the mold from the timber has left stains behind, you may need to sand away the stains. Use the finest sandpaper you can that still gets the work done. Some hardware stores sell small variety packs of distinct self. Make sure you wear protective gear as mold spores may be released during sanding and these can make you sick. Cheap, flexible N95 masks are available in the hardware store.
- Another choice would be to have the timber removed, replaced, and lost. Frequently wood replacement takes less time and effort than you may expect compared to the labor intensiveness of cleaning large or difficult wooden surfaces.
- Once you’ve eliminated the mold from your wooden things, use a HEPA vacuum cleaner to trap mold spores from the atmosphere. Most shop vacuums do not have a filter capable of trapping mold spores. Some home cleaners, such as the ones from Dyson, have built-in HEPA filtering, but you need to use caution when emptying the debris into the garbage.
- If you’re unsure how to move and particularly for areas larger than 10 square feet, contact professional mold remediation or restoration company. They can help you determine if cleaning the mold is feasible or when replacement is preferable. They can also offer you tips on techniques and products to use — or simply handle the cleanup for you. The correct approach may save your property, but it may also help you prevent getting ill from the spores.
If it comes to mold development problems, prevention is the best medicine. Maintain the indoor humidity to a minimum and repair water leaks. For any mold problem that covers more than 10 square feet, or that you aren’t comfortable cleaning yourself, please contact your regional PuroClean office. For more emergency services, check this out.