How To Get Rid Of & Remove Mold In A House

If you search “how to get rid of mold in a house,” you will find a variety of different solutions–some websites recommend bleach, others hydrogen peroxide or a mixture of vinegar, water, and baking soda.  

However, before you try any of these solutions there are several things to consider.   

First, you need to identify the source of the mold and ensure you have the proper protective equipment prior to using any cleaning agents. You also need to ensure proper ventilation and drying can occur.  

Although small, localized mold growths can be addressed fairly quickly, water leaks can lead to significant, and often hidden, mold growth.  

The safest and surest way to verify that all the mold is removed from your home is to enlist the help of a professional mold removal service like HRS Restoration Services in Denver.  

HRS Restoration Services has been utilizing teams of trained professionals who know how to remove mold in commercial buildings and residences for a combined two decades. We take pride in our service and are committed to utilizing the latest technology to identify and eliminate mold to ensure a healthy indoor environment. 

Call us today to schedule your appointment for mold inspection and removal.
 

What Is Mold? 

Mold is a fungus that exists naturally in the environment, but when you have a lack of natural light, a porous surface, and moisture, mold will develop in your home or commercial building.  

Mold comes in 300,000 types and is often brown, black, or greenish in color.  

Mold irritates the respiratory system and can cause red eyes and coughing, all of which are compounded if someone has a respiratory illness like asthma. 

 

What Causes Mold To Grow? 

To flourish, mold requires dampness, a welcoming surface, and a lack of light. 

Mold can be carried into your home from pets, food, wood, paper. 

If you have a leak or water damage in your home, especially within the walls or flooring, mold can easily develop and grow. 

 

How Does Mold Spread? 

Mold can spread and reproduce by spores. The spores travel in the air, but because they are so small, you won’t be able to see them.  

Mold spreads fast as colonies feed on their host material. Mold spores can also be carried into your home if a piece of furniture, clothing, or pet hair contains mold spores.  

So long as there’s a hospitable surface, a lack of light, and an abundance of moisture, the spread of mold is imminent.

 

Is Mold Dangerous? 

Mold can be dangerous to the structure of your home or office since it can break down walls and eat away at flooring. More importantly, mold can be dangerous to your health.  

Some people won’t experience symptoms as a result of mold exposure, while others, who are susceptible due to allergies or an existing respiratory condition, will experience debilitating reactions to mold.  

Mold exposure symptoms will vary depending on the type of mold, the time someone is exposed to mold, their current health, and how far the mold has spread. 

Mold exposure can result in aches and pains, changes in mood, headaches, memory loss and nose bleeds. Mold spores release irritants that, when inhaled, can lead to itchy, watery, red eyes, scratchy throat, and coughing. 

 

How To Remove Mold In A House

You may wonder what gets rid of mold. The answer is that household mold removal involves a number of steps.  

Before treating and cleaning the mold, you must first pinpoint the visible and invisible mold. Next, you will need to find the source of the mold and seal up any areas where moisture can pool.  

Mold affects people to different degrees so remember to outfit yourself in protective clothing and use proper equipment. After the source of the mold is dealt with, it’s time to clean the mold with a chemical agent.  

Finally, there are several ways to treat mold. First, you will need to dry out the affected surfaces and remove the conditions that are favorable to mold. 

 

Mold On Walls

When mold grows on walls, the walls must be inspected to find out how far it has spread and to see if the mold has affected the structural integrity of the wall.  

The presence of mold may lead to drywall repair or replacement.
 

Mold In Bathroom

Mold thrives in wet, dimly lit bathrooms, especially in porous places like the grout between tiles. Mold can also be found in wallpaper or even towels since both are porous.  

To remove mold in the bathroom, you may need to incorporate a ventilation system if you already don’t have one installed.
 

Mold In Shower Caulk

To remove mold from shower caulk, apply chemicals to inhibit its growth. The cleaning agents must have enough time to soak into the surface of the caulk to eliminate the mold. 

 

Mold In Basement

Basements are often windowless and even more prone to mold than other areas of the house. Basement mold can be removed once the source of moisture is eliminated. 

 

Mold In Carpet

It is very difficult to remove mold from carpet and any attempt to do so must be combined with drying out the carpet so that mold regrowth cannot occur. 

 

Mold In Attic

Attics can be both damp and warm which is optimal for mold. Mold will grow and survive at about the same temperature as humans are comfortable. 

Warm spaces are breeding grounds for mold spores because warm air absorbs moisture better than cold air. Mold cannot survive in an environment on the extremes of either too cold or too hot. 

 

Mold On Windows 

To remove mold on windows, inspect the area around the window and in between the window. The type of cleaner used will depend on whether the frame is wooden, aluminum, or vinyl.
 

Mold Under A House 

The conditions under your home are ripe for mold because there is a lack of sunlight, an excess of moisture, and ventilation is minimal.  

To remove mold under your home you will need to add an additional step of sealing the area with plastic and ensuring that there is proper ventilation.
 

Is Mold Removal Safe To Do Yourself? 

You may safely remove mold from surfaces such as shower glass and inside the bathtub with natural cleaners like vinegar, baking soda, and tea tree oil. If those don’t work, you can also remove bathtub mold with more abrasive cleansers like Borax.  

However, while learning how to kill mold in a house and removing mold from these bathroom surfaces is relatively easy and safe, removing mold that resulted from a water leak yourself is not advisable.  

This is because the type of mold that results from water damage, like black mold, may not be noticeable at first, especially because it grows quickly inside the walls where pipes have burst or leaked.  

By the time you see it on the outside of the wall, the growth behind the wall has ultimately permeated the wall.  

Since the mold is no longer surface level, a mold remediation expert is recommended for removal.

 

When To Call A Professional

If you are unsure of what type of mold is growing in your home or business, contacting a mold remediation team that specializes in treating mold is your best bet.  

At HRS, we use specialized equipment for mold restoration and mold remediation to identify the extent of the mold growth and damage to your property. 

Some mold can only be seen with UV lighting and all mold, visible or not, must be removed so that it doesn’t keep spreading.  

When mold has taken up residence in your walls and flooring, you should enlist the help of a professional to determine if removing flooring and drywall is necessary to completely eliminate mold. 

 

Why Choose HRS Restoration Services? 

HRS Restoration Services professionals in Denver are trained to identify, clean, and remove mold from surfaces with minimal disruption to your home or business.  

Our team of mold professionals adheres to IICRC standards, the same standards relied on by microbiologists, public health professionals, industrial hygienists, and industry trade associations.  

Property managers, real estate developers, and homeowners in Denver have trusted our team of mold remediation experts for decades.  

We’re available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to get your home or office back to its pristine, pre-emergency state.
 

Contact HRS Restoration Services Today! 

Call HRS Restoration Services to find out more about our mold remediation services or to schedule an appointment.  

If the mold in your home or office is the result of a water break or leak, our professionals are equipped and trained in water extraction and mitigation, and sewer cleanup.  

A sewer break or leak exposes your family or employees to potentially toxic gases and compounds that require specific steps and tools for proper removal and cleanup.  

Contact as soon as you discover mold in your home.