How Should You Handle Mold in an Apartment?

5/4/2020 (Permalink)

If you suspect spores are in your living quarters, find the catalyst, eliminate the water source, and begin sanitizing.

Have you detected a strange, musty odor in your apartment's bathroom? Perhaps you've noticed little black blemishes growing underneath the sink in the kitchen. Both of these are signs that fungus may have taken root within your personal space. You don't own the building though? What should you do? You'll need to contact the building owner and hunt down the source of the contamination. Mold cleanup should become a priority.

1. Find the Source
Mold spores prosper in areas with high humidity, thriving on moisture and organic matter. Often, they result from leaks in windows, sinks, or pipes. You'll need to identify the specific origin of the growth and cut off its water supply. Start by searching for visible signs of issues. Walls may seem a bit off. Spots or rings may be developing on walls or ceiling tiles. In addition, pipe condensation or leaks are concerns. For this reason, look under cabinets and in dark spaces. Finding and fixing this trouble slows the growth and prevents future breeding from returning.

2. Test the Specimen
Mold cleanup requires specific measures, so before you begin trying to sanitize, identify which microbes are there. With your property manager, or on your own, seek help from professionals. Work with a mold and water restoration company in Lemont, IL, to determine the extent of the problem and to understand the form of infestation.

3. Have the Infestation Removed
You can try white vinegar spray on small sections, trying to eliminate the spots. Bleach, a popular household cleaner, is often used; however, it does not penetrate deep enough to eradicate the full development. Mold contamination usually, though, mandates gutting infested materials. This effectively reduces the number of microorganisms.

Mold cleanup is important and shouldn't be neglected. If you suspect spores are in your living quarters, find the catalyst, eliminate the water source, and begin sanitizing.