Removing Mold From Your Attic

What are Molds?
Mildew and molds are fungi – simple microscopic organisms that thrive anywhere there is a moist environment. Molds are a necessary part of the environment; without them, leaves would not decay and aspects of soil enrichment could not take place. It is their ability to destroy organic materials, however, that makes mold a problem for people – in our homes and in our bodies.
A common issue bothering many homeowners these days is mold and mildew problems in the attic. These problems are caused due to various reasons, which need to be dealt with immediately. Some of the reasons that can lead to mold problem include excess moisture, poor attic ventilation and roof leakage. Moisture, which is a leading cause for mold problem, can also lead to other difficulties as well, such as, it can make the building material to crack, rot, warp and stain.
If appropriate measures are not taken in time and the mold sets in, it can lead to serious health problems as well. Some of the health problems that can be caused due to mold include respiratory problems, allergy, and skin, eye & throat irritation. Continuous exposure to mold can even be fatal as it can cause cancer. In order to avoid these problems, it is very important to remove mold at the earliest.
In case you are also experiencing the mold problem, be it white, green, black or any other color mold, fix it as soon as possible. However, do not commit the same mistakes that most homeowners do; removing mold on their own. You should leave this job for mold remediation contractors. These professionals are licensed by the state to tackle the mold problem in an efficient manner.
Foremost, the mold remediation contractors ascertain the reason behind mold problem; which more often than not is moisture. Once the source of moisture is fixed, they subsequently strive to remove mold. Irrespective of whether the mold is black, white or green, the mold remediation steps are same; starting with sealing off the area. The area is sealed off with plastic sheeting and tape, which help to keep the mold spores contained in the attic. This prevents mold from spreading throughout the house and worsening the situation.
Next step is to ‘wet vacuum’, which sucks up water from all the water soaked surfaces and also cleans mold. Dry vacuum is always avoided because it launches mold spores in the air, instead of removing it. The molds which are not removed by wet vacuum are killed with the help of an approved fungicide; which can either be applied through a sprayer or fogger. Many people have the misunderstanding that bleach can kill or keep away mold; however it is not effective method.
Once the mold is killed, it is time to clean up the area thoroughly. Mold remediation contractors generally prefer HEPA vacuum for scrubbing, scraping and cleaning up dust and debris. They may sometimes even ask you to remove furniture, building material or any other thing that is contaminated by molds. Before disposing it, the contaminated material should be sealed in plastic bags and subsequently labeled. Lastly, dry out the attic with the help of dehumidifiers or fans. It is essential to dry the area completely to avoid mold from resurfacing again. Once done, the restoration work can be done.
If there is mold in your attic and you do not want to risk serious structural and aesthetic damages to your home, along with health damages to yourself; remove mold from your attic as soon as possible.
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