Important Points For Getting Rid Of Mold Yourself

Are you considering getting rid of mold yourself? If the answer is yes, please keep in mind the following: Each job is unique and should be taken on the side of caution. If you still want to do it yourself, I’d recommend consulting a professional first.

The first step in any smaller home-based mold cleanup effort, less then 10 square feet is to clear out the area where the mold exists.

Before tackling the issue and planning to get rid of the mold yourself, all furniture, clothes, toys, and other personal items must be removed and placed in 6 mil bags, for dealing with at a later time. This time is reserved for tackling the surface mold issue only.
Once the area is cleared out, the mold issue can be looked at and better evaluated. Look to see how far the mold growth has spread and to what possible depth as well.

As for clothing material that is still salvageable, you may wash them. If it’s not, they must be trashed. Other non-clothing material that is salvageable, must be HEPA vacuumed and wiped with an anti-microbial or soapy solution.

Below you will find general guidelines written by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

In 1993, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) first issued recommendations on addressing mold growth indoors. This is one of two forefront guidelines to be followed.

The other guideline is by the IICRC S520 Mold Remediation Guideline. The purpose of these guidelines is to provide an approach to address potential and observed mold growth on structural materials in commercial, school, and residential buildings.

Mold growth in critical care areas of health-care facilities such as intensive care units or surgery suites may pose significant health concerns to patients. This guideline is not intended for such situations. Currently there are no United States Federal regulations for the assessment or remediation of mold growth.

A visual inspection is the most important initial step in identifying a possible mold problem and in determining remedial strategies. The extent of any water damage and mold growth should be visually assessed and the affected building materials identified.

A visual inspection should also include observations of hidden areas where damages may be present, such as crawl spaces, attics, and behind wallboard. Carpet backing and padding, wallpaper, moldings (baseboards, crown moldings, etc.), insulation and other materials that are suspected of hiding mold growth should also be assessed.

Ceiling tiles, paper-covered gypsum wallboard (drywall), structural wood, and other cellulose-containing surfaces should be given careful attention during a visual inspection.

Ventilation systems should be visually checked for damp conditions and/or mold growth on system components such as filters, insulation, and coils/fins, as well as for overall cleanliness.

Equipment such as a moisture meter or infrared camera (to detect moisture in building materials) or a borescope (to view spaces in ductwork or behind walls) may be helpful in identifying hidden sources of mold growth, the extent of water damage, and in determining if the water source is active.

Using personal protective equipment such as Tyvek suit, gloves, and respiratory protection (e.g. N-95 disposable respirator) should be considered if assessment work might disturb mold. Efforts should also be made to minimize the generation and migration of any dust and mold.

General Mold Remediation Guideline for Small Isolated Areas (10 square feet or less)

(a)Remediation can be conducted by trained building maintenance staff. Such persons should receive training on proper cleaning methods, personal protection, and potential health hazards associated with mold exposure. This training can be performed as part of a program to comply with the requirements of the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200).

(b)Respiratory protection (e.g., N-95 disposable respirator), in accordance with the OSHA respiratory protection standard (29 CFR 1910.134), is recommended. Gloves and eye protection should also be worn.

(c)The work area should be unoccupied.

(d)If work may impact difficult-to-clean surfaces or items (e.g. carpeting, electronic equipment), the floor of the work area, egress pathways, and other identified materials/belongings should be removed or covered with plastic sheeting and sealed with tape before remediation.

(e)Efforts should be made to reduce dust generation. Dust suppression methods particularly during any cutting or resurfacing of materials are highly recommended. Methods to consider include: cleaning or gently misting surfaces with a dilute soap or detergent solution prior to removal; the use of High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) vacuum-shrouded tools; or using a vacuum equipped with a HEPA filter at the point of dust generation. Work practices that create excessive dust should be avoided.

(f)Moldy materials that can be cleaned should be cleaned using a soap or detergent solution. Materials that cannot be cleaned should be removed from the building in a sealed plastic bag(s). Plastic sheeting should be discarded after use. There are no special requirements for the disposal of moldy materials.

(g)The work area and areas used by workers for egress should be HEPA-vacuumed (a vacuum equipped with a High-Efficiency Particulate Air filter) or cleaned with a damp cloth and/or mop and a soap or detergent solution.

(h) All areas should be left dry and visibly free from mold, dust, and debris.

Read more about this topic on the following pages:

How To Clean Mold Effectively And Safely
How to clean mold? The following recommendations are to be used as a general guideline, as to every job is unique.

The Validity Of Mold Removal Products
When dealing with a mold related issue in the home, the homeowner cannot take any chances on the so-called ‘wonder products’ that promise to rid the home of mold with just a few squirts.