Montpelier, Vermont - A few days after Irene, wet belongings cluttered lawns. Now, the wet is gone but that does not mean that mold is not lurking.
At a Statehouse forum, Thursday, mold expert Bill Turner's motto was just get rid of it. He said strip our carpet and ceiling tiles from flooded homes. That is because mold can grow in the porous spaces of those materials, almost impossible to remove.
Before you remove mold off hard surfaces, you should contain the area with plastic from floor to ceiling. Then, you can scrub it with detergent and water and let it dry completely.
"About the worst thing you can do to a home that's had mold growth in it is disturb it and disseminate it and spread it around your home," Turner said.
That dried mold makes it really important to wear protection. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends wearing a N-95 respirator while cleaning, as well as long plastic gloves and goggles that do not have ventilation holes.
How do you know when the mold is gone?
If there is no more moisture and visible mold and odors are gone, you should be in the clear. But if you have any health complaints or symptoms, it may be time to call an expert.
Turner says if your mold problem is bigger than about 10 square feet, you should hire a contractor or professional to take care of the job. And, make sure they follow the EPA's mold guidelines.
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