Mold in the home is never fun! It can quickly expand and the mold spores are dangerous when they release into the air and are inhaled by people.
In this article we aim to answer some of the most commonly asked questions surround mold spores, how long they live and how to get rid of them from our homes to keep our families healthy and happy!
How Long Do Mold Spores Live?
Mold spores can actually live for hundreds of years. They do not become active until they come in contact with water. Without a water supply, mold spores will go dormant and not be harmful in your home.
Why Do Mold Spores Keep Coming Back?
Mold spores live everywhere in the air, the reason you may have reoccurring issues with mold dispite trying to get rid of it is due to the conditions provided for the mold spores. Mold spores will continue to return to places with sufficient moisture, nutrients and lack of sunlight.
How Do I Get Rid Of Mold In My House Permanently?
You will not be able to get rid of the mold spores that live in the air as they exist naturally everywhere and in small amounts are not harmful.
If mold spores find favourable spots to congregate and multiply then the level of spores in the air can become dangerous and cause illness when respiring.
To get rid of mold you need to treat the conditions that are attracting them and keep moisture levels down and good ventilation in the home then treat the existing mold with a harsh cleaner.
Should I Use A Mold Fogger (Mold Bomb)?
A mold fogger or mold bomb is best suited for when the mold spores are congregating in your home in places you cannot reach such as a ceiling or floor spaces or unreachable gaps.
A mold fogger will permeate the air and get to the mold spore you otherwise could not get and reduce them spreading through the home.
Should I Hire Professionals?
If you fail to remove mold from the home with repeated attempts you should definitely hire a professional to deal with the issue. A professional will be able to stop the growth of existing mold and clear it from the home, but also identify issues with your home that is causing the mold problem in the first instance.
If you get mold professionally dealt with you should also invest in remedies to the issue such as ventilation and insulation to reduce the risk of the mold returning and you having to pay a professional once again.
How Much Will It Cost To Remove Mold Spores Diy?
You will never be able to completely rid the air of all mold spores but to remove mold from surfaces yourself it is relatively inexpensive. Mold cleaners start at around $10 but may be more depending on how much mold you need to remove.
It is also free and easy to assist in ventilating your home by opening windows and doors daily to reduce mold.
How Much Are Professionals?
Professional mold removal costs in the range of $500 to $6000, depending exclusively on the extent of the mold coverage, location and type of mold. The price reflects the products and labour needed by the professionals to deal with the problem.
How Do You Get Mold Spores Out Of The Air?
- Firstly you should destroy any visible mold to stop its reproduction process and limit any new mold spores entering the air. Use sprayable mold cleansers and wipe away.
- Use a dehumidifier to lower the moisture levels in the air to limit the water resources the mold spores have to use
- Open windows and doors to provide immediate ventilation. If ventilation is still poor then investment in a large scale home ventilation system is recommended to remove most of the mold spores from the air in your home
- Insulate your home to keep it warm and dry. An insulation home will collect less moisture inside and limit mold growth
Where Else Do Mold Spores Live In A House?
Mold can be found in a large range of places. Since spores are airborne they can find their way into all sorts of crazy nooks and crannies including:
- rooves
- windows
- furniture
- ceilings
- carpet
- wallpaper
- insulation
- paint
- dust
Basically everywhere you can imagine! As long as conditions are suitable mold can grow.
How Do You Get Rid Of All The Mold Spores So They Never Come Back?
You first need to deal with the conditions of the home and focus on the root cause of the mold issue. Proper ventilation, low moisture levels and plenty of natural light will make your home a place not suited for mold growth.
Once the home is safe then getting rid of mold is simple, use a mold cleaner or bleach on the mold to destroy in it its tracks.
If the home is dry the mold spores will have nowhere to land and proper ventilation will encourage airflow to move the mold spores out of the home and off in the world to find somewhere else to live that isn’t your home!
How Do You Prevent Mold Spores From Activating And Spreading?
Mold spores exist in the air around us at low and harmless rates, when they are in the air they lay dormant and are looking for a place to stop and reproduce.
When mold spores land on a place that is moist and full of nutrients it will then begin to spread and soon it will send out large amounts of mold spores into the air that are harmful if inhaled in large amounts.
To stop mold spores from activating ensure there are no spots that are moist for long periods of time. Fix any leaks quickly and dry out spills on furniture and carpets.
Every day, even on the cold ones, you should open doors and windows to encourage airflow even for a short period of time.
