We’ve all seen substances in our homes occasionally that we believe to be mould. Sometimes, it may even be black, and though we’ve heard dire warnings about black mould, the only way to know if what you’re seeing is the dangerous kind is to have it tested. In the meantime, don’t panic but proceed cautiously to mould cleanup.
Here are some steps for preventing and cleaning up mould in your home.
Eliminate Mould at the Source
Mould propagates by spores that enter your home through doors, on your clothes and pets. But it can’t take up residence unless it encounters plenty of moisture. The sources of that moisture may be several. Do you have any of the following?
- Leaky roof
- Leaking plumbing
- Excessive condensation on windows or in the HVAC system
- Trapped moisture in the kitchen or bathroom
- Flooding
To eliminate moisture, fix the roof and the plumbing leaks right away. The condensation problem in the home and the HVAC system may be caused by a dirty air filter, so change it. Consider installing ventilation exhausted to the outdoors in the bathroom or kitchen.
If your home floods, you may need professional help to address mould and replacing floors, walls, cabinets, drapes, and other furnishings.
Mould Cleanup
Before you start work, put on latex gloves and an N95 respirator to avoid breathing mould spores.
- For wood trim, tile, or walls, spray a mixture of water and bleach (1/2 cup bleach to a quart of water) on the surface and scrub it with a soft brush. Wipe clean, then allow to dry.
- To remove mould from carpets, be sure the carpet and pads underneath are dry before you begin. Move everything outdoors if you can. Brush at the mouldy spots till you’ve removed the debris, then treat the spots according to instructions with mould-removing spray.
- If mouldy drywall crumbles when you start to treat it, you’ll need to replace it.
Proper ventilation can help eliminate mould problems from the start. For more information on ventilating your home, contact Arpi’s Industries. We’ve served our Calgary customers for more than 50 years.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Calgary, Alberta about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about eliminating mould and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide.
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