Bleach vs Professional Mold Removal in Utah
Bleach does not kill mold on porous surfaces such as drywall or wood — and it does nothing about the moisture behind the wall.
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Call NowTL;DR
- What bleach does
- Bleach can clean surface mold on hard, non-porous surfaces such as tile and glass.
- What bleach does not do
- Bleach does not kill mold on porous surfaces such as drywall or wood.
- When to hire a professional
- For areas larger than about ten square feet, the EPA guidance is to hire a professional.
- What to do next
- Leave the growth in place, note where and when you saw it, and call now to arrange an inspection.
What bleach does to mold
Bleach is a disinfectant, and it can kill mold on a hard, non-porous surface — tile, glass, metal, sealed concrete. On those surfaces, the mold sits on top, and the bleach reaches it. A small patch of surface mold on bathroom tile can sometimes be cleaned by the homeowner with bleach, and the fan and the ventilation are dealt with at the same time.
But bleach is mostly water, and it does not reach into porous material. On drywall, wood, insulation or carpet, the growth reaches into the fibers, and the bleach stays on the surface. The surface looks clean, and the growth continues underneath. That is the problem with bleach on drywall: it makes the surface look clean while the mold keeps growing behind it.
What bleach does not do
Bleach does not kill mold on porous surfaces. It does not reach the growth in the wall cavity, under the flooring, or in the wood framing. It does not dry the area, and it does not find the moisture source. A leak behind the wall is still running after the bleach is used, and the growth returns.
Bleach also does not help with the health question. The EPA notes that mold exposure can cause allergic reactions and respiratory complaints in some people, and bleach fumes add a second irritant to the air. Mixing bleach with other cleaners is hazardous, and the area should be ventilated while bleach is used. For health questions, speak with a clinician.
When a professional is needed
For areas larger than about ten square feet, the EPA guidance is to hire a professional. A professional is also needed when the growth is behind a wall, under flooring, in a crawlspace, or in a duct — anywhere the homeowner cannot reach it. The inspection finds the moisture source, measures how much material is affected, and sets the plan. The provider explains what will be removed, what will be dried, and what is not covered, before the work starts.
A professional is also needed when the growth keeps returning. A stain that is cleaned and returns within weeks means the moisture source was never found, and the growth is behind the wall or under the floor. The inspection traces the stain to the source, and the plan covers the source, not just the stain.
What a homeowner can do, and what to leave alone
A homeowner can clean small surface mold on a hard surface — tile, glass, metal — and can deal with the ventilation: a fan that runs during and after every shower, and a fan that vents outside rather than into the attic. A homeowner can also keep gutters clear, keep the grading sloped away from the house, and check pipes and the water heater for drips.
Leave the growth in place when it is on drywall, wood or insulation, when it covers a large area, or when it is behind a wall. Do not disturb a large area of growth — disturbing it can release spores into the air. Note where and when you saw it, and call now to arrange an inspection. The inspection finds the moisture source, and the plan follows from what it finds.
Frequently asked questions
Answers from the questions Utah County homeowners actually ask.
Call NowNo. Bleach does not kill mold on porous surfaces such as drywall or wood. It can make the surface look clean while the growth continues underneath, because the bleach stays on the surface and the growth reaches into the fibers.
Small surface mold on a hard, non-porous surface such as tile can sometimes be cleaned by the homeowner. The fan and the ventilation should be dealt with at the same time, or the growth returns.
Because the moisture source was never found. A leak behind the wall is still running after the bleach is used, and the growth returns. The inspection traces the stain to the source, and the plan covers the source, not just the stain.
Bleach fumes are an irritant, and mixing bleach with other cleaners is hazardous. The area should be ventilated while bleach is used. For health questions, speak with a clinician.
For areas larger than about ten square feet, the EPA guidance is to hire a professional. A professional is also needed when the growth is behind a wall, under flooring, in a crawlspace, or in a duct.
Leave the growth in place, note where and when you saw it, and call now to arrange an inspection. The inspection finds the moisture source, and the plan follows from what it finds.
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