DIY Mold Removal: Is It Worth It?

When mold begins to grow in your home or business, it not only damages your property, but it can also cause serious health problems. Spores from mold contaminate the air and can easily be inhaled.

If you have noticed mold growing in your basement, crawl space, under your sink, or anywhere else in your home, be sure to take it seriously. Mold may begin as a small problem but often morphs into a bigger issue that requires more planning to address it safely.

What To Do When You Find Mold In Your Home

Mold is common in many homes, especially if you live in a wetter area. We commonly see mold in lakefront homes and other areas here in Northern Indiana. Where there is moisture in your home, there is a risk of mold.

For example, seeing mildew develop in your shower between ceramic tiles is something most homeowners have experienced. This type of fungal growth is easily removed with an EPA-rated disinfectant before it turns into a more serious problem.

The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) suggests that if mold covers less than 10 square feet it can typically be safely handled using DIY methods. However, it does depend on the type of mold and area of your home. 

Some molds are more dangerous than others and are better handled by professional mold remediation no matter how small or large the space is.

Dangerous Molds

Harmful molds are generally classified in one of three categories:

• Allergenic: These molds can produce allergic reactions. Allergenic molds are not inherently dangerous and can be removed with DIY tactics.

• Pathogenic: These molds can cause health problems for those suffering acute illnesses. Pathogenic molds can be dealt with by homeowners in small areas.

• Toxigenic: These molds produce toxic substances that can lead to dangerous or even deadly health conditions. Toxigenic mold removal should always be left to the professionals.

Stop And Make A Plan

Before you decide whether to try to remove mold from your home, take the health of yourself and anyone living in your home into consideration. 

Think about how big the job will be. Very small mold removal jobs can be successfully DIY’d, but it’s not always safe to tackle mold on your own.

Your mold removal plan needs to include:

• A vacuum with a HEPA filter 
• EPA-rated disinfectant (not just bleach!)
• Antimicrobial sealer
• N-100 or higher respiration and filtration equipment for yourself
• Goggles, gloves, and protective clothing
• How to ventilate the area being treated
• Safe removal of any moldy objects (furniture, etc.) from the home

Mold Prevention Tips

Once you have the mold removed from your home, you want to keep it that way! This can be difficult if you live in a wetter, lower area that’s more prone to mold. Follow these simple tips to help decrease the chance of mold returning to your home.

Keep Your Home Clean And Dry

This is especially important for areas of your home that tend to be humid, especially bathrooms. Rooms with plumbing like the kitchen, bathroom, and basement need to be regularly cleaned and spot-checked for mold.

Mold grows in areas where moisture thrives, so adding a dehumidifier in your basement, closet, or bathroom can be helpful as well. It’s also helpful to increase ventilation in these areas by regularly running a fan or opening a window to air out the space.

Watch For Water Damage

If you’ve spotted flooding, leaking pipes, or an appliance has failed and flooded an area of your home, don’t assume the damage stops once the water is removed. Once water touches drywall it can easily cause mold growth.

Any area that has been affected by water needs to be immediately checked for mold and appropriately dried and replaced.

Avoid Painting Over Mold

Just because you can’t see the mold anymore doesn’t mean it’s gone. Painting over mold not only increases the chances of it spreading but also makes the paint more likely to peel off. Thoroughly clean all moldy surfaces before painting.

The Benefits Of Professional Mold Removal

If you’re concerned about mold in your home, the best way to address it is to hire trusted professionals. Our Lake City Restoration team has the proper equipment to safely assess and create a customized mold remediation plan in connection with Indoor Environment Professionals (IEPs).

Our professional mold removal services are designed to remove the existing mold in your home while also preventing new mold growth. We will also conduct an inspection to determine the cause of the mold and address any water problems that could be contributing to the microbial growth.

Don’t Ignore The Signs Of Mold

Remember, mold doesn’t just make your home or business look dirty, it’s also a health risk! Lake City Restoration provides inspections to our customers who are concerned about microbial growth and mold in their homes.

Originally published in 2021, this blog post has been updated to include the latest information and resources available.