Our goal with this blog is to enlighten our 123HELP APP users about the emotional topic of Mold because there is too much needless fear associated with Mold. There are confirmed reports that several remediation contractors have taken advantage of the public’s fears and misunderstandings concerning Mold in the greater Phoenix area. They spread false information, perform unnecessary work, and overcharge for remediation, adding to the confusion about Mold.
You Can Have Confidence in 123HELP Contractors.
Be assured that each contractor participating in the 123HELP network has proved to our review committee they provide ethical services at a fair price before becoming an Approved 123HELP Servicer Provider, including contractors in the mold and environmental services categories. The Directors of 123HELP APP LLC will quickly remove any contractor from our program that violates our strict policies concerning ethical services and fair pricing.
Become Educated; It’s Your Best Defense Against Mold
The US EPA has produced an informative, common-sense, and easy-to-read booklet concerning Mold, A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home. The Guidebook is constantly updated to reflect the latest understandings, science, and advances. The 123HELP APP team highly recommends that you download the US EPA booklet or review the information online at:
https://www.epa.gov/mold/printable-version-brief-guide-mold-moisture-and-your-home
The Mold Booklet Opens With a Concise and Powerful Statement:
- THE KEY TO MOLD CONTROL IS MOISTURE CONTROL
- IF MOLD IS A PROBLEM IN YOUR HOME, CLEAN UP THE MOLD PROMPTLY AND FIX THE WATER PROBLEM
- IT IS IMPORTANT TO DRY WATER-DAMAGED AREAS AND ITEMS WITHIN 24/48 HOURS TO PREVENT MOLD GROWTH
Molds are usually not a problem indoors unless Mold spores land on a wet spot and begin growing. “The Mold spores will not grow if moisture is not present. Indoor Mold growth can and should be prevented by controlling moisture indoors. If there is Mold growth in your home, you must clean up the Mold and fix the water problem.”
A Few Highlights from the Booklet About Mold Cleanup.
“Who should do the cleanup depends on several factors… one consideration is the size of the Mold problem? If the moldy area is less than about 10 square feet (less than roughly a 3 ft. by 3 ft. patch), in most cases, you can handle the job yourself, following the guidelines below.”
Please note the EPA booklet warns homeowners against self-do-it-cleaning if the Mold source is contaminated with sewage if they suspect the HVAC system is contaminated, and if there is a quantity of Mold more than 10 square feet. The booklet then provides two pages of instructions about how to safely and properly clean moldy services. The instructions discuss how to safely use bleach when it may be needed.
- Avoid breathing in mold or mold spores. To limit your exposure to airborne Mold, you should wear an N-95 respirator, available at many hardware stores and from companies that advertise on the Internet.
- Wear gloves. Long gloves that extend to the middle of the forearm are recommended. When working with water and a mild detergent, ordinary household rubber gloves may be used. If you use a disinfectant, a biocide such as chlorine bleach, or a strong cleaning solution, you should select gloves made from natural rubber, neoprene, nitrile, polyurethane, or PVC.
- Wear goggles. Goggles that do not have ventilation holes are recommended. Avoid getting Mold or Mold spores in your eyes.
Cleanup and Biocides
Biocides are substances that can destroy living organisms. Using a chemical or biocide that kills organisms such as Mold (chlorine bleach, for example) is not recommended as a routine practice during mold cleanup. There may be instances, however, when professional judgment may indicate its use.
The EPA booklet asks an important question, how do I get rid of Mold?
Here is their answer: It is impossible to eliminate all Mold and Mold spores indoors; some mold spores will be found floating through the air and in house dust. The Mold spores will not grow if moisture is not present. Indoor mold growth can and should be prevented or controlled by controlling moisture indoors. If mold grows in your home, you must clean up the Mold and fix the water problem. If you clean up the Mold but don’t fix the water problem, then, most likely, the Mold problem will come back.
At 123HELP APP, we can’t say it enough, Mold, Moisture, and Your Home is an outstanding resource. We strongly encourage you to get a personal copy.
