Mold Removal Costs and Money Saving Tips
Mold and mildew is never a welcomed guest in anyone’s home. It starts to grow within dark damp places and can become a surprise if you are not prepared for it. If you do not catch this rapidly growing fungus in time, it can cost you exponentially. Being ready to clean the mold problem as well as knowing mold removal costs will help you be prepared in the long run.
Often times, many people can clean mold problems on their own. This can be done with store bought solutions or home made remedies to remove small areas of mold. Yet often times, if the area is too large or the mold to dangerous, a mold removal specialist may need to come in and clean.
Mold Types
In order to safely clean your mold problem, you should have some information on the types of mold that can grow within your home.
Mold spores and allergenic mold are generally not harmful, but can be dangerous to people with asthma and immune problems. Usually these types of mold can be easily removed without future problems.
Mycotoxic mold spores are those containing toxins in the cell wall. This type of mold can be harmful to you and your family’s health. It can cause immune diseases, cancer or even death in some cases. This type of mold should never be handled alone. Cleaning such toxic mold should be handled by a professional cleaning service. See the link below to find a service near you.
Pathogenic mold is the type that can cause infection. It can affect anyone who has suppressed immune diseases, those with autoimmune disease or anyone taking chemotherapy. This mold should again, not be tackled on your own.
Mold Removal Costs
If you decide to clean your mold problem on your own, make sure it’s safe to proceed. The EPA suggests that an area of no more than 10 square feet can be cleaned on your own. If the area is larger than that, calling a professional is necessary to stay safe.
Drywall Mold Removal
Mold is commonly found on drywall and along baseboards. Outside walls can carry more moisture, thus leading to mold growth within the walls. If the mold is confined to a small space you generally won’t have to cut the entire drywall out.
Cutting out a small portion of the drywall will help prevent the mold from spreading to surrounding walls. To remove a small section of drywall, you will need:
– A small saw or X-acto knife
– Sand Paper
– Scrub brush
– Patch Kit
– Mold Removal and Disinfectant (Store bought or homemade bleach solution)
When cutting out the molded drywall, make sure to add a couple of inches outside the mold to ensure to no spores are left behind. Once the drywall is removed, sand the edges of the drywall and any surrounding studs that may contain mold. You then can apply the mold removal to the studs and along the edges of drywall. Make sure to apply to all reachable areas to ensure proper cleaning. Once the area is dry, you can then use your patch kit to repair the wall. The estimated cost of removing a piece of drywall is around $25.
Upholstery Mold Removal
Higher humidity climates can cause your home to retain a lot more moisture. This moisture can settle into walls, floors and even your furniture, your upholstery being a popular home for moisture and mold spores.
To keep you furniture and upholstery dry, make sure to keep a ventilated home with fans or opened windows. Once fabric and wood become wet, mold can start to grow within 2 days. Air conditioning also tends to dry out your home’s air.
If fabrics can be removed and washed, make sure to do this frequently to prevent fungus from growing on the surface. Laundry detergent and the heat from the dryer should eliminate the mold spores. If you cannot remove the fabric, place the furniture outside to prevent the spores from traveling. Vacuum up the molded area to remove as many spores as possible; you then can apply a mild rubbing alcohol, water mixture to the infected area. The alcohol should kill the spores while the sun dries the fabric. This cleaning solution should only cost around $2, yet if the mold has spread within the furniture, you may need to take it to a mold remediation specialist. Most places provide free estimates and quotes.
Bathroom Mold Removal
Bathrooms are some of the most popular places to find mold. High humidity combined with the constant contact with water provides an optimum place for mold to grow. Since bathroom mold generally grows on hard surfaces such as tiles, it can be a little easier to remove on your own.
The first thing to remember is to always wear protective gear, such as plastic gloves and a facemask. By combining a 50/50 solution of water and bleach, this mixture can kill mold spores growing on the surface. Apply to tiles, grout and any little crevice that mold may grow. To keep mold from coming back, always wipe down shower walls after use and apply this solution every month to keep it disinfected. The solution should cost you around $2 for the bleach.
Mold Removal Service
Often times people cannot identify the type of mold that is growing or how far it has traveled. Be sure to call a professional to ensure it is safe to enter your home. Many mold remediation specialists will provide free estimates on mold removal and will discuss prices depending on the size of the job.
If you need mold removal services, call a local service provider near you today.