4 tips to follow when your space has mold
Mold is definitely not something that you want to mess with. It is a huge health hazard and it’s very hard to get rid of on your own, especially if you do not know what you are doing. Here are 4 tips to follow when your space has mold, but I do want to give you a heads-up that I am not an expert in this area. Please follow up with an expert, to make sure that you are following the steps that are needed and recommended for your individual space! –
Get an ERMI test done
If you do not actually see mold (or even if you do see mold), but you suspect it, you might benefit from having an ERMI mold test done. The ERMI test was created by The US Environmental Protection Authority. They created it as a straightforward, objective, and sensitive way to assess mold and indoor air quality investigations. The ERMI is basically a ranking system based on dust samples collected from homes and it will help predict the moldiness of homes. It is easy to do and easy to read once you get it back, but it is definitely not the end-all, be-all when it comes to mold testing. While ERMI is relatively sensitive, it can be hard for it to target hidden mold that is inside building materials (like drywall ceilings, etc.). This is why ERMI is a great first place to start when suspecting mold, but I always recommend to take it a step further and hiring a mold remediation specialist, to make sure that you are taking care of every and all potentials when it comes to mold in your home or place of business.
Consider cleaning with vinegar or HOCL
If you have mold in your shower, on your air vents, or anywhere else, the standard practice is to spray with bleach. However, a lot of people (and especially mold specialists) have an issue with this because bleach is a very watery solution, and it can actually just bleach the mold, so that you don’t see it, even though it is still there. Basically, it can contribute to the problem. A strong vinegar or HOCL can help the problem, however. Both can kill mold spores, but even with killing mold spores, you definitely need to remediate, as well, because mold spores can come back with a vengeance very easily.
Replace moldy building supplies
If you are trying to tackle mold remediation yourself, you will 1000% want to replace all moldy building supplies. This means that you will have to demo everything yourself and replace it all…which can be a pretty hefty health risk. Mold exposure can lead to many different health issues such as asthma, eczema, edema, fertility issues, cancer, and more. Personally, I’m not knowledgeable enough to tackle mold issues on my own AND I’m also not willing to risk my health, or the health of my family members. I want any potential mold issues taken care of by professionals who know what they are doing. If you need this, as well, look into Trinity Industrial Services. They have more than 60 years of combined experience in the Atlanta demolition market, and they place particular importance on safety, when working on any project. They are a residential and commercial demolition company that specializes in the safe, efficient, and environmentally-friendly removal of structures and materials. They also offer full-service abatement management and testing, which includes asbestos abatement, lead-based paint abatement, selective demolition and mold remediation services, and more. You can trust them to be there when you need them the most, because this Atlanta demolition company is the best of the best.
Use a high-quality air purifier
Last but not least, use a high-quality air purifier. While an air purifier will not solve your mold issues, it will help the air quality within your home as you are dealing with mold remediation OR even after, once you are finished with mold abatement. A high-quality purifier like the Austin air purifier or The Air Doctor is a must in every home and place of business.
These 4 tips to follow when your space has mold are essential to living in and working out of a healthy environment and they are very needed to keep everyone in your space thriving!
