TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--After the rain subsides, snow melts and flood waters recede, water-logged residents throughout the U.S. 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 serious health hazard. Traditional mold-fighting solutions, like bleach, have limited effectiveness against mold and also emit harmful chemicals into the air. 1. Detect It – Where there’s a mold issue there’s a water issue. To eliminate and prevent mold you need to stop water from infiltrating your home. Determine the source of the water ingress that is causing the mold – like leaking roofs, cracked foundations, clogged drains or faulty plumbing – and fix the problem. 2. Dry It – If there is too much water to sweep out of your home, consider a shop vacuum or invest in a water pump (or rent one at your local hardware store) to remove water-filled areas. Once the water is removed, use fans to circulate and absorb moisture in the air. If weather permits, open all doors and windows; indoor mold spore counts are typically higher than outdoor counts. Open closet and cabinet doors to allow air to circulate through all these areas. 3. Ditch It - Throw out water-logged and mold-infested materials that are replaceable, such as carpeting or ceiling tiles. The general rule is: if in doubt, throw it out. If drywall has absorbed water, the drywall should be cut out 12 inches above the water level and replaced once the room is dried out. 4. Deactivate It - Use an EPA-registered, non-toxic solution like Concrobium Mold Control® to fight remaining indoor mold. This innovative “2-in-1” solution both eliminates mold and prevents it from coming back, and it contains no bleach or other harmful chemicals. It’s important to treat hidden areas in a home such as crawlspaces, closets and under furniture to be sure they remain mold-free. Concrobium is available at home improvement retailers including Home Depot, Lowe’s and Menards, as well as local hardware and grocery stores. Special fogger units, which mist Concrobium Mold Control into the air to treat large or inaccessible spaces such as basements and attics, are available for rent at The Home Depot Tool Rental department. 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.
