Mold remediation in Detroit, MI

When you can clean it yourself, and when you can't

EPA's rule of thumb: if the moldy area is less than about 10 square feet, roughly a 3-by-3-foot patch, you can usually handle it. Bigger than that, or in the walls or ductwork, it's a job for a crew.

Size isn't the only test. EPA says if the mold came from sewage or other contaminated water, call a professional regardless. In Detroit, where sewer backups are common, that covers a lot of basement mold.

What doesn't work

• Painting or caulking over it. EPA says clean and dry the surface first.
• Killing it and leaving it. EPA notes dead mold is still allergenic, so it has to be physically removed.
• Mixing bleach and ammonia. The fumes are toxic; EPA says never combine them. Follow the product label.

Porous materials such as ceiling tiles, carpet and drywall may have to be thrown away once mold grows into them. Hard surfaces can usually be scrubbed with water and detergent and dried right away.

Why it started, and how to keep it from coming back

Mold needs moisture. EPA says wet materials dried within 24 to 48 hours usually don't grow mold, so most mold traces back to water that sat too long after a burst pipe, a roof leak or a flooded basement.

Fix the water source first, then keep indoor humidity below 60 percent, ideally 30 to 50 percent. If a flooded house couldn't be dried within two days, EPA says assume mold is growing and wear at least an N-95, goggles and gloves when you go in.

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