Everything You Need To Know About Window Mold
Are you looking to learn more about window mold? Mold is a huge problem for homeowners. Pesky mold spores can take hold in virtually every corner of your home. Once the mold colonies start forming, it may be hard to stop the intrusion without professional intervention.
One of the most common spots for mold to form is on windows and windowsills. Since many organic materials accumulate on these surfaces, mold can start growing and expanding on your windowpanes or sills.
In the following paragraphs, we're going to take a closer look at what you can do about window mold in your home. It's important to be aware of the removal processes that abide by the law. You’ll learn about the risk factors, removal procedures and main prevention methods.
The Starting Point: What Is Mold?
Let’s take a quick look at what you may be dealing with. Mold is a living organism whose strains are all fungi. That same umbrella term covers various types of mushrooms and yeasts as well. All these fungi have thread-like structures.
At any given point in time, you’ll have endless numbers of mold spores flying around in your living quarters. However, the growth of these organisms won’t start before they find good living conditions.
Having enough moisture in the air is a primary atmospheric condition for mold growth. When your living spaces are very dry, there is no way for mold to take hold. When the ventilation isn’t the best or there are leaky pipes in your home, it’s easy for the mold colonies to start their expansion.
How To Remove Window Mold?
Let’s now discuss how you can remove pesky mold from your windows. Make sure to use disposable cleaning cloths. Regular paper towels will also do.
Start off by spraying all mold-ridden windows entirely with a mold spray. Make sure to include the frames. Let it dry for about 5-7 minutes.
Afterward, spray the same surfaces for the second time. Now, start wiping off the windowpane in a downward motion using your paper towels. Repeat until complete removal of all mold.
You may find that the mold solution leaves some annoying residue or film on your windows. Spray the affected areas with undiluted vinegar. Wait for a minute and wipe clean.
How To Remove Windowsill Mold?
Windowsills are more complicated than windows when it comes to mold removal. Vinyl and aluminum windowsills are easier to clean than wooden ones. Sometimes mold has entered the surrounding walls, requiring the use of professional mold remediation services.
Removing mold from non-wood windowsills requires the use of a brush or even be a worn-out toothbrush. The key here is to be as thorough as you can. You need to brush all the surfaces and keep an eye out for some hidden corners that are harder to access.
Whenever you spot some mold on your brush, clean it with water, and dry the affected area. Then respray the surface with the mold solution. You should repeat these steps until you are sure that there is no more mold.
Wood windowsills require much more work. The best approach is getting mold remediation carried out in the affected areas. Do this, as the mold could have penetrated into the drywall.
When you are working with wood windowsills, you do the same steps as with vinyl or aluminum windowsills. However, you need to sand the wood once you have carried out the initial spraying, brushing, cleaning and respraying procedures.
Sanding is an essential step. Only proper sanding can reach the mold that has rooted under the top layers of your wooden windowsills. Try to get rid of at least two layers of wood before stopping.
Once you have finished sanding, it’s time to use a HEPA vacuum to remove all debris. After that, you should use a mold prevention spray for wood elements. To top it off, use a mold-resistant paint to refinish your wooden windowsills.
Why Is Mold Removal Such A Crucial Task?
Most homeowners agree that mold is an aesthetic issue that should be taken care of. Not all people, however, are aware that it has significantly more serious effects than making your home look less attractive.
In fact, some mold strains can increase the risk of health problems in susceptible individuals. The highest risk group is formed by people who have allergies, asthma or chronic immunodeficiency. You have to be extra careful after spotting mold in your home when you have anyone belonging to the risk group in your household.
“Toxic mold” is a common term signifying mold strains that produce mycotoxins. However, there is no scientific consensus on the exact mechanisms and effects of these toxins. It's proven, though, that some of these toxins can trigger health problems in susceptible individuals.
People who have mold allergies or asthma can suffer from bad asthma attacks when exposed to certain types of mold. Sometimes even individuals who haven’t had a mold allergy develop similar symptoms. That means there could have been a lot of spores flying around in the air.
These are some of the typical signs of mold sickness:
- Wheezing, sneezing and coughing
- Red eyes
- Runny nose
- Rashes and skin irritations
- Breathing difficulties
- Itchiness in and/or around eyes
In A Nutshell: Everything You Need To Know About Window Mold
Mold on your windows and windowsills shouldn’t be ignored. Once the mold spores find favorable conditions, they start forming colonies and expanding on your home’s surfaces. Some types of mold can pose considerable health risks.
It’s recommended to employ the help of a professional mold remediation company when you have trouble with mold on your wooden windowsills. That mold could have penetrated deeper into the wood layers, ultimately reaching the dry wood below.
Markham Services can help you find and get rid of mold growth at the earliest sign. Contact us today for inspection and treatment services.
