What to do if you find mold during a remodel
There are many things that can happen when you decide to remodel your house. There are all kinds of problems that can arise and cause delays and incur extra costs and demands on time. It is important to plan for as many of these delays as possible, but realistically it is not possible to account for all of the potential problems that could arise. One of the problems that is often encountered when undertaking a remodel is the problem of mold. Mold can range from annoying and pesky to toxic or even deadly. It is important to take the proper steps when you encounter mold in a remodel. Here are some suggestions if you find mold during your remodel.
Understanding mold is perhaps one of the most basic elements to dealing with it properly. Mold is basically a microscopic fungus that grows generally in damp dark places. Some types of mold are harmful but most are not. In either case it is unattractive and can lead to other problems as well. Bathrooms or other places that are frequently moist are the most common places mold is found. Humidity provides and environment in which mold can survive and even thrive. When you decide to undertake the remodeling of a bathroom in particular, be ready for the possibility of there being mold in the walls or around the tub or toilet.
If you do happen to discover mold when you are remodeling, you have several options. Most people would just take a bucket of water and add some bleach to clean up the mold. This can often solve the problem but it may be necessary to think about it a little more first. Try and remember if there have been any unexplained illnesses or flu like symptoms recently with anyone living in the house. If you can think of something, then it may be better to not do anything before consulting with a professional. If mold is removed improperly, it can spread the mold spores to other areas of the house and promoted spread and growth, or the spores can even be inhaled and produce more illness and unwanted conditions. There are rare cases where mold infestations have been so bad and so toxic that they have caused deaths or lead to permanent respiratory problems. If you haven't noticed any sickness or other similar problems, it may be ok to remove the mold yourself.
If the problem is more serious, you will need the help of a professional to test the mold and determine what needs to be done next. It may be very simple to rectify the problem but could be as serious as demolition and completely rebuilding sections of your home. It is also good to get the air tested after you have treated for mold to make sure that there are no more mold particles in the air than is normal. If the test fails, it may be necessary to take additional measures to eliminate the mold. One important thing to keep in mind with mold is that it is much more important to clean and eliminate it than it is to identify what type of mold it actually is.
Perhaps one of the most important measures that can be taken concerning mold is prevention. It is fairly easy to prevent it from happening if you are able to control the environment. If you are having trouble in a bathroom or suspect mold is growing, you may want to consider buying a more powerful fan or even a dehumidifier. Prevention is important if you plan on remodeling or want to resell your home someday, or if you just want to stay healthy, maintain practices that will keep mold from growing whenever possible.
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Comments
I agree why run the risk of toxic mold growth. Consulting a mold remdiation professional is probably the best step. Mold can spread the mold spores throughout ones homes.
Posted by: Holly | March 19, 2008 03:41 PM