Mold can be a killer to the interior of a home, and it can create a dangerous situation in some cases. People who live near the sea often suffer mold damage and have to go through a painful process of remediation. This article outlines how difficult do it yourself job can be when it comes to mold. It provides solid reasoning for why people should hire a professional to handle the process.
Coastal Oceanside Home Mold Removal and Remediation
California residents watching the horror of hurricanes slamming the East Coast may think they are in the clear when it comes to damage to their own homes. While Oceanside homes in California may not get the fury of those Gulf Coastal hurricanes, mold and moisture can still threaten homes, You might wake up one day to find your clothing wrecked, your air heavy, and your wall spotted with mold spores.
This can be a scary moment, prompting fears and questions about the next move. Here’s what to do when you have oceanside mold removal needs.
Beginning the airing out process
The mold remediation process starts by drying out and airing out your home.
Mold growth occurs in wet, damp, and warm environments. The drier you can get it and the more warmth you can take out of your house, the easier it will be to control the spread of potentially harmful mold spores. Before you can clean up mold, you’ll need to open all windows, turn on fans, and get your air conditioner going as cold as it can go.
This process can be expensive, especially if you need to remove mold in the summer. Any person living in Southern California can attest to the high bills that follow when you have to run your air conditioner full blast for days in the end.
Removing furniture to an unaffected area or storage
One of the most difficult parts of the mold removal process is removing furniture so you can get down to work. You’ll need to check all the furniture to ensure that it’s not been harmed by water damage or mold spores.
If the furniture’s safe, you should remove it to an unaffected floor or to an exterior storage space. Furniture will get in the way, and you’ll need free and easy access to floors, drywall, and more. In order to do a full and safe mold clean up, you’ll need to strip your home down to the studs, so getting rid of that heavy furniture is the first step in the process.
Ripping out carpet
To get rid of mold, you may need to remove all of the carpeting in your home. This means getting down on your hands and needs with a blade to remove the carpet from the floor below. Mold spores can hide within carpet, making it heavy and dangerous for your family and pets.
If your carpet has taken on any moisture, it can be very difficult to cut and move. You may need to slice it into smaller component parts to allow you to carry it out of your home.
Demolition and removal of flooring
Mold can work its way into floors, so proper mold cleanup must include removal of the affected floors.
If you can get your hands on a crowbar, you can use that tool to dramatically rip the floors from your home. This requires a significant amount of brute strength and is not for the faint of heart.
You’ll need to essentially tear the floors up from their moorings, ripping nails out of place in the process. Doing it yourself can be difficult unless you have a crew of able-bodied neighbors willing to volunteer a few days to handle it.
Demolition of walls and sheetrock
Mold does the most damage to the walls of your home. If you have severe damage, you need to get those walls and the associated sheetrock out so that the studs of your home can properly dry.
You’ll also want to remove these things to prevent future health problems that may occur when you live in a mold damaged home. Oceanside mold removal begins by drawing a line around the affected areas and a few inches extra just for safety. You’ll then need a sledgehammer and a lot of strength to knock through the walls. It’s important to first use a stud finder to ensure that you’re not toppling the structure of your home.
From there, you’ll have to rip out the mold-afflicted sheetrock, ensuring that you have a proper mask before you do it. Mold spores can spread into the air, so taking these precautions will be important for your health. You’ll need thick gloves to protect against the cuts that can be caused by insulation, which should also be removed. At the end of the process, your home should have exposed studs, and you should take the infected guts of your home out to the side of the road for timely removal.
Hiring a professional to handle the process
Many people live for the moments where they can spend a few hard days knocking out walls and crushing their homes. Others don’t have the time, skills, or equipment to do it. Others still just don’t want to expend the enormous energy needed to do the job right. With your health on the line, it can pay to hire a professional to handle the process. Oceanside mold removal is far from easy.
It can be tiring and even dangerous in some case. As many home mold victim can attest, hiring a skilled professional company is often the best bet.
If you’ve been addled by mold damage in your coastal California home, then getting the mold out is an absolute must. The do it yourself process is possible, but it’s also quite hard, even if you have help. Going to an expert to handle the process can save you time, effort, and tons of frustration.