Can Homeowners Remove Mold Safely and Effectively?

Learn how homeowners can safely remove mold from their homes with some preparation and knowledge. Understand what materials are needed for repair and how to address sources of moisture ingress.

Can Homeowners Remove Mold Safely and Effectively?

Sometimes, you can visually see what appears to be mold, and if there is evidence of moisture or a leak nearby, this can add weight to your observations. Because the mold cleaning process agitates mold spores, the risk of inhaling them increases considerably during the cleaning process. Mold that has deeply penetrated walls may require additional treatment of the studs and the structure behind the walls; this helps ensure that the problem is resolved before the homeowner replaces the materials and can help prevent it from growing back immediately. Removing mold in the home is different on a case-by-case basis, but you should know that you can do it yourself or have an expert come in.

When it comes to calculating the cost of mold remediation, materials needed to repair the damage generally represent about 40 percent of the total cost. The remaining 60 percent of the cost will be labor. As expected, large bumps will be more expensive to remove, as will certain types of mold that are resistant to mold removers, spread aggressively, or are particularly dangerous to inhale. Victor Coppola, senior building biologist and founder of GreenWorks Environmental, LLC, advises: “If the sources of moisture ingress are properly addressed and corrected, you can be fairly certain that black mold will not grow again.” Homeowners often want to fix the problem of household mold themselves instead of hiring a professional to save money.

Preparing your home for mold prevention will help you save money and headaches in the long run by avoiding costly mold removal. By maintaining healthy air quality and mitigating mold as quickly as possible, your home will be healthier and safer. Mold, which usually looks black or dark green and a little viscous, stains surfaces as it grows and is resistant to removal. Remediating a major mold problem doesn't just involve eliminating mold; in the case of large scale growth, the remediation process may involve removing significant pieces of drywall, tile and carpet. To prevent mold from entering the bathroom, be sure to open the windows if you have them to improve ventilation and run the fan when you shower, shave or clean. In conclusion, homeowners can safely and effectively remove mold from their homes with some preparation and knowledge.

It is important to remember that materials needed for repair represent 40 percent of total cost while labor represents 60 percent. Additionally, it is important to address sources of moisture ingress in order to prevent black mold from growing again. Finally, homeowners should maintain healthy air quality and mitigate mold as quickly as possible in order to keep their homes safe and healthy.

Lydia Bouley
Lydia Bouley

Amateur bacon trailblazer. Award-winning music junkie. Subtly charming pop culture fanatic. Hardcore travel evangelist. Amateur pop culture enthusiast.

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