Mold Remediation Using Sprays or Chemicals
A common phrase that I hear after finding mold is “Oh, I’ll just spray some bleach on it”. I want to break down why we should get away from that thinking and what options are safer and more effective. What we won’t be talking about today is the widespread, grown in mold infestations. Most of our remediation, we recommend a full removal of the mold, typically accomplished by removing the affected material or sanding/grinding. In this bulletin though, we will be talking about the minor mold growth that most people take care of themselves.
The first question when planning remediation is how big can this problem really be and MOST IMPORTANTLY, how did the mold have a chance to grow in the first place? Minor surface mold growth can indicate a small leak or a non-functioning bathroom ventilation fan, investigate all mold found.
Now, onto the sprays and what we recommend.
Sprays on porous materials can add moisture to an area and worsen a problem.
Sprays, in large quantities can increase humidity levels and cause a more widespread issue.
Bleach based sprays are an inhalation hazard and caustic to other materials. While also not totally killing the mold spores that are there in the first place.
It is true that a pH change is enough to kill some/most mold. For example, using vinegar can be somewhat effective but what we think is even better are products that are specifically designed to kill mold.
Best Budget Friendly/Highly Available: “Mold Control” can be purchased cheap at most big box stores and in moderation can be a good option after removing mold from pourous materials. It also works on other surfaces to spray and wipe.
Fungicide available in select stores or online: RMR141 is a fungicide/disinfectant that does work well, has a slight odor. The area will still need to be cleaned and mold removed.
Mold remediation can be a tricky and confusing process with a large potential for making the problem worse. We always recommend consulting with a professional. Many of our clients prefer to tackle remediation themselves, we provide these tips and tricks to make sure that people are living in the healthiest environment possible.