by Vikki McMahon

Created on: August 31, 2008   Last Updated: July 12, 2010

Mold contamination can cause a myriad of problems in your home. It can trigger allergic reactions, breathing problems, or even serious illness. In order to protect yourself and your family, you must be knowledgeable about mold's presence in your home, what to do to remedy the situation, and how to prevent it from occurring in the future.

Mold reproduces by sending millions of spores into the air. Although mold is a naturally occurring substance that we breathe in every day, the problem escalates when it settles in the areas of a home that are prone to dampness. Mold needs moisture, warmth, and organic material to feed on in order to thrive. This is why bathrooms, kitchens, and basements are so susceptible to mold.

Your first line of defense against mold is to know the signs of contamination. Visible evidence appears on surfaces as a splotchy discoloration that ranges from white to gray to black. Also, contaminated rooms have a distinct musty smell.

If mold is found to be present, you have a couple of choices. You can hire professional mold remediation experts to clean the affected areas. This is recommended if you have widespread mold in multiple areas of your home. Or you can do the clean up yourself by following these steps:

1. Protect yourself by wearing clothing that covers as much of your skin as possible, as well as rubber gloves, protective eye-wear, and a face mask.

2. Work in small sections at a time to prevent contaminating other areas of your house. Hang tarps or sheets to quarantine the area where you are working.

3. Thoroughly dry the affected area.

4. Throw out contaminated material by tightly sealing it in large, plastic garbage bags.

5. Use a mold and mildew remover that contains bleach. This will remove and kill the mold spores from the contaminated surface.

6. Watch the area for a few weeks after remedying to insure the spore colonies do not reappear.

An ounce of prevention can keep mold from contaminating your home in the first place. Vacuum frequently to reduce the number of spores flowing freely around your house. Keep humidity levels low, less than 40 percent. Make sure there is proper ventilation in areas such as the bathroom, basement, kitchen, and laundry room. Keep damp storage areas free of clutter such as boxes and papers. This is an ideal breeding ground for mold.

By knowing the signs of mold contamination, you can be vigilant about its presence and able to remedy the problem quickly should it occur. And by employing a few simple preventative measures, you will have the peace of living in a healthy home.

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