With a few clicks on Google, you type “DIY Mold Removal” hoping for some quick tutorial and easy answers. After spending half an hour you end up with more questions than answers by all of the different results you get. What to do? It would be easy for anyone, to just grab a bottle of bleach and see what happens. Before you grab that bleach, we hope to bring some clarity to what could be a confusing topic.
DIY Mold Removal Tips from the Mold Professionals
When it comes to mold removal, mold testing, & mold inspections the need for a professional’s experience and training. It is a vital component to ensure the safety of the occupants. Also to ensure that your mold problem doesn’t become worse. If you are considering a DIY mold removal project, you can at least first obtain an estimate from a mold professional first. We provide free estimates and we are always willing to help answer your questions. This is an important first step as mold professionals have the experience and tools to see the full scope and size of the project. Just give one of our mold professionals a call, for a no-obligation estimate
Here are some practical steps you need to consider before starting your own DIY mold removal project:
1. The Size and Location of the Project
The EPA has provided clear recommendations on mold removal protocols for both DIY mold removal and professional mold removal projects. The EPA recommends an area over 10 square feet to be remediated by a mold professional. This may seem conservative to some. However, there are very practical reasons that these safety recommendations were issued by the EPA. Also, the location of the molded area is a very important factor. If the mold is located in an area. Close to air vents or an area that has young children, elderly or people with compromised immune systems. It is very important that special safety precautions by a trained and certified professional are used.
2. The Type of Mold that Needs to be Removed
There are many mold types, the majority of molds fall into one of the 6 most common molds found. Certain mold types like Aspergillus, Cladosporium, and Stachybotrys (commonly known as Black mold) all need to be removed with great care and preferably by a professional. These molds are very volatile and very easily become airborne. Also, these molds have proved to cause the worst health effects and great care should be taken.
3. The Ability to Methodically Create a Plan and Execute Slowly with Great Care
We see a common theme mostly among general contractors. Who want to quickly rip out the mold, toss it in the dumpster and call it done. Even in those situations, the “appearance” of the mold problem has been removed. But the “air quality” of that room or property has not been. When executing either a DIY mold removal project. Or a professional mold removal project. All of them require the need for great care to be used during the removal process.
This is why we tend to follow a lot of the franchise mold removal companies within the Kansas City metro area. It is common for one of the national franchise to take the “yank-it-out-quick” approach. And negate the fundamental important step of air quality. There are several reasons for this. But one of the primary reasons is that national franchises have their company has a whole certified. But that does not mean that the actual technicians remediating your home or commercial space are actually trained and certified.
It is common for us to receive a phone call from customers. Who has contracted one of the national franchises for their mold removal project? And now they are having problems with sickness or mold returning. If you can execute a careful plan with patience and care. Then considering a DIY mold removal project that meets the other above mentioned criteria is an option.
4. What Products to Use to Clean Mold?
One of the most common questions we receive from customers is what products we recommend for mold removal. It is NOT bleach. Remember, bleach does not kill mold, it only bleaches the color of it! With some simple household products, supplies, and elbow grease. You can be well on your way to solving your mold problem.
Supplies Needed for DIY Mold Removal
- Bucket of hot water
- Cleaning Agents we recommend: dishwashing liquid, vinegar or a combination of hydrogen peroxide, baking soda & tea tree oil
- Disposable cloths or paper towels
- Rubber gloves
- Mask
Some homeowners, maintenance managers, property managers, and landlords try to rectify mold by themselves. In an attempt to save on costs. In these moments, we like to bring to people’s attention a simple reality. There is a reason that mold removal, mold testing, & mold inspection services are a highly certified and insured industry. It’s not like painting or mowing the grass, a simple task that anyone can do. Mold removal, mold testing, & mold inspections can all be a very complex process. The costs and liability for completing mold removal incorrectly are vast.
A DIY Mold Removal Story that Cost Thousands
One cold winter morning, we were called out to an apartment complex. That had a water damage problem in five joining units. The maintenance staff noticed small amounts of mold several weeks later. After cleaning the areas with bleach and painting the area with Kilz they thought that the problem was solved. They were unaware of the myth that bleach kills mold.
Six months later they are calling us for mold testing. Due to the occupants of the property having severe respiratory issues. During our mold inspection, we found extensive amounts of mold in all five units. In only six months a mold removal project that would have consisted of a minimal expense of $1,000 to clean the units correctly, was now well over an $8,000 project. This does not include the expense that they incurred for moving five tenants. Or the legal and medical fees associated with the mold.