Mold Removal, Do You Need a Professional?

According to EPA guidelines you can clean up mold on your own if the affected area is under 10 sq ft. That’s a patch about 3 feet by 3 feet.  Many people are surprised to hear this mistakenly believing that mold in any amount more than a small spot should only be touched by a professional. The EPA recommends scrubbing mold off with a simple detergent and water and then drying.  

If you have an area that gets wet, act quickly because once wet, mold can begin to form within 48 hours. Hard surfaces are easily cleaned but porous material like carpet and ceiling tiles may have to be replaced.  

Mold needs three things to grow.  

1. Moisture 
2. A food source - which is usually what it is growing on and can be almost anything  
3. Favorable temperature - most molds do very well at room temperature.  

Typically we can only control one of these 3 and that is moisture. Leaking pipes, compromised roofs/flashing, wet crawl spaces/basements, sweating ductwork/pipes must be repaired and dried before tackling mold removal.The Golden Mold  Rule is, ‘Remove the water source and the mold won’t return’.  

When helping people buy and sell properties in the Dayton, Ohio area I frequently run across mold issues, if you need someone to remediate I know several companies that do a good job please just reach out. Remember, when selling a home in Ohio that has had mold there is a duty to disclose to your buyer.