Carpets are highly susceptible to mold damage. The longer the mold is allowed to stay on the carpet, the higher is the possibility for health risk. Therefore, it is essential to understand the best ways to clean up mold damage. It is important to determine first the difficulty of the task. Mold damage covering less than 10 square feet of carpet space can easily be removed without the need of professional mold removal service.
Clean-up Preparation
Prepare the appropriate protective gear before starting. Wear a respirator to avoid inhaling mold which can cause respiratory disorders. The disposable N95 respirator will do. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the user should make sure that the respirator fits properly and does the necessary seal check prior to its initial use. Long rubber gloves that reach the forearm are also recommended. The gloves will protect you when handling harsh cleaning agents, such as bleach. Sealed goggles are also highly recommended to avoid getting cleaning agents and mold in the eyes.
If the damage is caused by water problems such as a bad leak or plumbing problem it is crucial to fix the problem before eliminating mold in the carpet. If the mold is caused by recent flooding, make sure that the water is completely cleaned up and the humidity is reduced in the area before starting on the carpet. Using a dehumidifier can greatly help decrease the humidity and moisture.
Mold Damage Clean-Up
Use a mixture of water and chlorine or bleach in highly infested areas. A heavy-duty scrubbing brush and a steam cleaning machine is an effective combination to rid the carpet of mold infestation. However, if the infestation and damage to the carpet is serious and cleaning is quite difficult, then it would be more practical and logical to simply replace the carpet with a new one.
Consult a professional cleaning and restoration service to determine if the carpet can be salvaged and restored. There are carpet specialists that offer mold removal and carpet restoration using more advanced techniques.
Mold Damage Prevention
The most efficient way to eliminate molds is to take measures of prevention from the start. Act as soon as possible if there is any sign of water spills or leaks and clean and repair vents, air conditioning systems, and roof gutters.
Humidity is another major factor to the development of mold. Thus, seal all windows and dry all surfaces that may collect moisture. Also, install an exhaust fan to greatly minimize the humidity inside the room.
Eliminating and preventing mold damage is not an easy task, but with proper planning, correct tools, and proper cleaning habits, mold damage clean up and prevention is made easier.