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Eliminate Indoor Mold With The Five Ds

Posted: 7/6/2011

Use an EPA-registered, non-toxic solution to fight indoor mold. Bleach doesn’t penetrate to the roots of mold, so the mold problem may keep coming back.

(NAPSI)—After bouts of wet weather, homeowners may face a lingering and unwanted visitor: indoor mold. Not only can mold cause thousands of dollars of damage to a home, it can also be a health hazard.

Traditional mold-fighting solutions, like bleach, have limited effectiveness against mold and emit harmful chemicals. Fortunately, there are steps you can take. Here are the “Five Ds” for mold elimination and prevention:

1. Detect It—Where there’s a mold issue there’s a water issue. Determine the source of the water ingress—like leaking roofs—and fix the problem to stop water from infiltrating your home.

2. Dry It—If your home has been flooded, rent a water pump to dry affected areas. Once the water is removed, use fans to circulate and absorb moisture in the air. Open windows, doors, cabinets and closet doors to further promote circulation. Call a pro if the job feels too big or if you suspect sewer backup.

3. Ditch It—Throw out water-logged and mold-infested materials that are replaceable, such as carpeting. General rule: If in doubt, throw it out. If drywall has absorbed water, it should be cut out 12 inches above the water level and replaced once the room is dried out.

4. Deactivate It—Use a non-toxic solution to fight remaining indoor mold. Avoid bleach; it doesn’t penetrate to the roots of mold, so your mold problem will keep coming back. And bleach emits harmful fumes. There are nontoxic products on the market that can be used on a range of surfaces and are more effective. Concrobium Mold Control, for example, is an EPA-registered “2-in-1” mold-fighting solution that both eliminates mold and prevents it from coming back, and contains no bleach or other harmful chemicals. Concrobium is available at home improvement retailers including Home Depot, Lowe’s and Menards, as well as local hardware and grocery stores.

5. Dehumidify It—Run a dehumidifier to take additional moisture out of the air. Maintain indoor relative humidity between 30 and 50 percent and monitor humidity levels with a hygrometer, an inexpensive device found at many hardware stores.

Following the “Five Ds” can help alleviate mold issues in your home.

Learn More

For tips on mold control and to download a prevention checklist, visit www.concrobium.com and http://curemymold.com.

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