Mold can damage your basement, ruining your wood and other organic materials. It can also cause respiratory issues and other health issues for your family, which renders it a serious health hazard.

You may have already taken care of the core issue, whether that’s high humidity, leaks, or else. Still, there’s the existing mold removal task to consider. Which surfaces should you target, and what measures should you take to keep your basement safe from mold?

Working with a professional mold removal service will help you maintain a clean, fresh home and business. Reach out to A1 cleaning, and contact us today.

Identify the Infested Areas

You’re aware of the basement mold infestation, but which surfaces need special attention? To start with, you can look for a particular smell. Mold has a strong, musty, earthy odor, which is reminiscent of wet cardboard and dirty socks.

Then, you want to fetch a work light and look for mold: small black, burn-mark-shaped, or dirty-looking spots. Note that mold may grow behind walls or under floors, which renders it invisible to the untrained eye. As for professionals like A1 Cleaning, they use the latest technology to inspect any area and detect hidden mold.

Mold is found on concrete floors, floor sleepers, and wall studs. Inspect spots that are close to water, such as water supply pipes, leaking appliances, water drainage lines and sewage pipes, dryer vents, laundry rooms, HVAC condensations, under sinks, ceilings, sump pumps, bathroom exhaust vents, and wall cavities.

Conduct Moisture Tests

Now that you’ve spotted the infested area, it’s time to confirm your suspicions. Mix one part bleach with ten parts water in a glass container. Dip a cotton swab in the solution before running it over the mold-infested area. If the spot remains the same color, it’s dirt. If it becomes lighter, it’s mold or mildew.

Here’s another test that works for suspected drywall and wood surfaces. Use a screwdriver to push into the surface gently. Mold weakens any surface, so the screwdriver will puncture the surface or even flake it away if it has mold.

For a more foolproof test, you can invest in a mold detection kit. Such kits allow you to collect samples and send them to a lab for testing, but they’re expensive. Instead, mold remediation experts will confirm the existence of mold as part of their services and for no extra charge.

Take Safety Measures

Mold removal can be a DIY job only if the mold is minimal (like a small area of soft material, such as ceiling tiles, carpets, or wall materials that aren’t cement or wood studs).

Safety should be your priority, and cleaning mold on your own can get risky. So, open any windows or place some fans so that mold spores don’t accumulate in the air. Also, make sure you and anyone helping wear protective gear, including:

• Protective clothes, such as long pants, long-sleeve shirts, and closed-toe shoes
• Safety glasses
• Protective gloves
• Disposable dust masks or respirators

As for bigger mold problems, we recommend calling in a professional. The reason can be a moisture leak, damaged pipe, or even a flood that has caused fast mold growth. Luckily, mold remediation specialists have the qualifications and tools to get rid of mold safely.

Mold Removal

If there’s only a small spot, here’s how to remove it. Mix one cup (eight ounces) of bleach with one gallon of water. Apply the bleach solution on a smooth surface with disposable sponges and cleaning materials. For rough or porous areas, use a stiff-bristled brush to scrub the mold off.

In cases of more widespread infestations, mold remediation services take care of them. They use containment measures before removing the mold. Their treatment plan will differ according to the type of mold growth involved and the affected surfaces.

Also, they’ll clean any affected items, from furniture to clothes, with safe methods and sanitize your basement. When it comes to disaster restoration measures, mold removal experts might replace damaged areas, such as flooring, drywalls, and carpeting.

Final Verdict

Overall, mold can seriously damage your basement, house infrastructure, and the health of your loved ones, which is why fast removal is necessary. The process starts with confirming the existence of mold by looking for certain signs and conducting some tests.

Then, professionals move on to the mold removal process, which differs according to the mold type. But what’s common is the adherence to safety measures, as working with mold spores can be risky. Getting the help of an expert like A1 Cleaning allows you to maintain a clean, fresh home and business. Reach out to A1 cleaning, and contact us today.