How to Prevent and Get Rid of Mold From Wood – CBFA EFBC
For small infestations, a mixture of home detergent and water used with a brush or sponge might be all that’s necessary to eliminate mold from the timber in your house. In some tougher cases, careful sanding or perhaps replacement is called for. But remember that mold spores can be dangerous, so lots of infestations should be assessed by professionals with suitable training and removal procedures.
Here are some things to consider when attempting to eliminate mold from wood surfaces:
Drizzle a soft sponge or brush into the mix and wipe off the mold from the affected wood surfaces. As soon as you have removed signs of the mold, you may be tempted to provide the wood a last rinse. Do not do this. Additional water can trigger new mold growth on the wood, negating your attempts. Your goal is to wash the area and make it less inclined to support mold growth as soon as possible.
Do not use bleach. Porous surfaces like wood and shingles give the mold plenty of nooks and crannies to hide in carrying mold spores from the reach of even the most careful bleach scrub. The mold will just re-grow from within these micro-crevices soon after you complete them. Additionally, bleach loses its capacity to kill mold rapidly after it is manufactured. Lastly, bleach is a powerful compound, posing dangers to your eyes, skin, and children.
If cleaning the mold from the wood has left spots behind, you might need to sand the stains away. Utilize the finest sandpaper you can that gets the work done. Some hardware stores sell little variety packs of distinct self. Make sure you wear protective gear as mold spores can be released through sanding and these can make you sick. Cheap, flexible N95 masks are available in the hardware store.
Another option is to get the timber removed, replaced, and lost. Frequently wood replacement takes less time and effort than you might expect in relation to the labor intensiveness of cleaning big or difficult wooden surfaces.
As soon as you’ve removed the mold from your wooden items, use a HEPA vacuum cleaner to trap mold spores from the air. Most store vacuums don’t have a filter capable of freezing mold spores. Some household cleansers, such as the ones from Dyson, have assembled in HEPA filtering, but you need to use caution when draining the debris into the trash.
If you are unsure how to proceed and particularly for areas larger than 10 square feet, then contact a professional mold remediation company. They can help you decide if cleaning the mold is achievable or when replacement is more preferable. They can also give you tips on products and techniques to use — or simply deal with the cleanup for you. The correct strategy may save your property, but it may also help you prevent getting sick from the spores.
When it comes to mold growth problems, prevention is your best medicine. Keep the indoor humidity to a minimum and repair water leaks. For any mold issue that covers more than 10 square feet, or that you aren’t comfortable cleaning yourself, please contact your local PuroClean office. Find out more about PuroClean services right here.