Mold Removal: When To Call A Professional And When To DIY

Mold and mildew are a result of humidity. But living with an infestation can cause respiratory issues for you and your family.

Some types of mold don’t require professional intervention. Mold remediation is costlier than DIY mold removal you can perform on surface areas such as bathroom walls.

Home remedies can be as effective as any powerful chemicals for removing mold. Below are some natural ways to prevent mold growth:

Undiluted Vinegar

White vinegar that’s undiluted works best when sprayed directly on mold growth. The strong smell eventually goes away after 30 minutes. You can leave it for a few hours and afterward remove using a brush.

Vinegar can kill up to 82 percent of mold spores, viruses, and bacteria. It also serves as a preventive measure – sprays it on surfaces and leaves it to dry to avoid mold growth.

Tea Tree Oil And Water Solution

Tea tree oil is a bit more expensive but also an effective solution for removing mold. Mix two teaspoons of tea tree oil with two cups of water. Place it in a spray bottle, and it will last you awhile.

Just spray the tea tree oil solution onto the mold and do not rinse. Tea tree oil has a much stronger scent but will eventually go away after a few days.

Citrus Extract And Water

Citrus extract lets you kill the mold spores without the strong scent.

Mix about 25 drops of the extract with two cups of water and then place in a spray bottle. Spray directly onto the mold and just let it sit.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide comes in a bottle. You transfer into a spray bottle and spray directly onto the mold surface.

After 30 minutes you can scrub the mold clean or wipe it using a damp cloth.

Baking Soda And Vinegar Or Water

Another method to remove mold is by mixing baking soda with vinegar or water alone. As usual, combine the baking soda with the vinegar or water and spray it onto the mold affected area then scrub or wipe clean afterward.

Baking soda is a natural disinfectant and leaves behind no overpowering scent.

Basic Soap and Water

It is by far the most basic but not necessarily least effective method for removing mold – so long as it’s not severe mold. Just scrub with soap and water to remove the mold.

Chlorine Bleach

Chlorine bleach contains hydrogen peroxide and is an effective solution for the removal of black mold – a more toxic type of mold.

IIt’s simple: mix a cup of bleach with a gallon of water and place it in a spray bottle. It is not advisable to use this on metal, cloth, and wood surfaces. The bleaching properties of this chemical solution might lead to staining. Bleach can ruin varnishes and cause permanent stains on fabrics.

Molds That Require Professional Mold Removal

Whether you can take care of the molds by yourself depends on the location and severity of the infestation. Molds on tiled walls can be removed using the methods above.

But, if you have a mold infestation on drywall as well as subflooring, you are going to need professional mold remedial services.

Especially after a flood, you cannot DIY the mold removal yourself. There are experts you can call on for this type of problem, to avoid lasting damage and to avoid putting your family’s health at risk by taking it upon yourselves to deal with the mold infestation.

Professionals in mold removal will bring in drying tools and moisture meters. They are careful to cordon off and ventilate the room they are working.

They will wipe down the affected area should be wiped down with a specialized mold-killing solution.

If need be, they will also remove the drywall and dispose of it in a manner that will not leave behind damage and trace amounts of mold.

They will scrub the underlying framework with some mold killer and replace your drywall. After which, they will clean and vacuum the area to finish the job.

These professionals will be wearing masks or respirators, gloves, and goggles. This is how serious the task at hand is.

The bottom line is: assess the severity and location of the mold infestation. And it turns out that the molds have crept into the deeper layers of your home, call a mold remediation company.

Do not put yourself at risk by wanting to save a few dollars. Experts will know how to get the job done in the safest possible way and with a quick turnaround so you can go back to your home and resume your day to day lives.