Mold Remediation questions, answered
Is all mold dangerous?
Mold is common indoors and outdoors, and small amounts are normal. Mold growth inside a home can affect health, especially for people with asthma, allergies or weakened immune systems, and it damages materials. Any mold growing indoors should be cleaned up and its moisture source fixed.
Do I need to test mold to know what kind it is?
Usually not. If you can see mold, the response is the same regardless of species: fix the moisture and remove the mold. Testing can help find hidden mold, confirm cleanup, or meet real estate or landlord requirements.
Can I clean mold myself?
Small areas on hard surfaces can often be cleaned by a homeowner wearing gloves, eye protection and a respirator, with good ventilation, as long as the moisture source is fixed. Larger areas, mold inside walls or HVAC systems, and situations involving sewage or health concerns are better handled by professionals.
Will bleach kill mold?
Bleach can remove surface mold on non-porous materials, but it doesn't penetrate porous materials like drywall and wood well, and it gives off fumes. Never mix bleach with ammonia or other cleaners. Removing affected porous material and fixing moisture matters more than the cleaner used.
How quickly can mold grow after a leak?
Mold can begin growing on damp materials within a couple of days, especially in warm conditions. Drying wet materials quickly after a leak is the best prevention.
Why does mold keep coming back?
Because the moisture source wasn't fixed, materials weren't fully dried, or affected porous materials weren't removed. Cleaning the surface without addressing moisture leads to regrowth.
What humidity level prevents mold?
Many guidelines recommend keeping indoor relative humidity below about 50 to 60 percent. A simple hygrometer measures it. Exhaust fans, dehumidifiers and air conditioning help keep it down.
Can I paint over mold?
No. Paint doesn't kill or remove mold, and mold can continue to grow beneath it. Fix the moisture, remove or clean the mold, let the area dry, then paint with a product suited to the area.
What is clearance testing?
Clearance testing is an assessment after remediation, often by an independent inspector, that checks whether the work area has been cleaned and dried successfully, through visual inspection, moisture readings and sometimes sampling.
Should I leave my home during mold remediation?
It depends on the size and location of the work and the health of the people in the home. For contained work in one area, many households stay. Keep children, pets and sensitive people away from the work area, and ask the contractor for their recommendation.
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