The first sign of mold you notice may be a musty smell in your home.
After looking around, you spot what looks like mold -- don't panic!
You can remove unhealthy mold from your house without it costing a small fortune.
Check To Be Sure It's Really Mold
Mold can look many different ways, which depends on the type.
Some are grayish-white or black and can look like a dirty smudge.
If you're in doubt that a spot is mold, you can do a test with chlorine bleach.
Simply put a drop on the spot. If the color immediately fades away, you have mold.
Mold Infestation Ususally Means Leaks Too
Mold needs moisture to grow.
If you find mold, you know that you probably also have a water problem in your Renton home.
So first, you'll need to find the source of the leak and repair it.
After that, you can begin getting rid of the mold.
How To Kill Mold
A lot of people think mold clean up has to be expensive.
The truth is that most mold problems can be eliminated with chlorine bleach.
Bleach is a strong chemical, so for safety you'll need to wear gloves, an air filter and goggles while you clean.
Remember, when cleaning with bleach you need to work in a well-ventilated area, and never mix bleach with anything that contains ammonia.
The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) recommends using bleach to kill mold on hard, non-porous surfaces.
Killing mold with bleach is a simple process:
- Thoroughly soak the area in full strength bleach.
- Let it soak for fifteen minutes.
- Scrub the area with a mixture of one-part chlorine bleach, three-parts water and one teaspoon of dishwashing soap.
Finishing The Clean-up
Once everything has been washed, you'll need to do another inspection of your home.
Look for moldy papers, clothes or anything porous that could be a good home for mold.
These things will need to be bagged and thrown away.
Allow two to three days for the surfaces to dry.
Then, continue to inspect the areas for mold re-growth, and pay attention for any moldy odors.
Congratulations, you have eliminated the mold problem in your home and saved a lot of money by doing it yourself.
If you'd like additional maintenance tips or are looking to buy a new house, contact a licensed real estate professional right away!
Labels: Home Maintenance, Home Repair, Mold
The calendar has turned to November; the month during which we transition from fall into winter.
With less sunlight, colder temperatures, and shorter days ahead for Seattle , it's an opportune time to cross those last-minute maintenance items off your homeowner to-do list.
Practicing preventive care -- both inside and outside your home -- can save thousands of dollars in repairs come later this winter. What follows is a brief checklist to get you started.
For outside the home :
- Inspect exterior lights and outlets. Be sure that none of the outlets are cracked or broken, or have exposed wires.
- Clean gutters and clear all blockages. If leaves are falling, redo after leaves are off all trees.
- Inspect and test outdoor railings and stairs.
- Have problem trees trimmed, including those that may damage your home in a storm.
- Protect outdoor water faucets from freezing. Consider using foam cups, sold at hardware stores.
For inside the home :
- Change batteries in all smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms, whether they're "dead" or not.
- Vacuum refrigerator condenser coils, plus the front bottom grill. Empty and clean the drip pan.
- Inspect wood stoves and fireplace inserts. Hire a certified chimney sweeper to clean the chimney, if needed.
- Insulate bare water pipes running through your home to prevent freezing and to limit condensation on cold-water lines.
- Inspect automatic garage door opener. Lubricate chains according to manufacturer's instructions. Make sure bolts and screws are properly tightened and secured.
As a constant series of chores, home maintenance is a four-season job and one which should not be taken lightly. The tasks of each season are unique and November's jobs are mostly preparatory in advance of colder weather.
If your routine maintenance uncovers larger issues including a faulty HVAC unit, or a leaking faucet, for example, seek professional help to make the repair.
Labels: Cleaning, Home Repair, Home Safety
If you're actively preparing to list your home for sale, resist the temptation to make major home improvements. Nationwide, home improvement projects recoup just 58 cents on the dollar, says Remodeling Magazine.
Rather, for a better return on your time and money, focus on the minor projects instead. It's the smaller projects in Kent that tend to have a bigger, long-term payoff.
So, how do you determine which projects are the "smaller ones"? It's obvious when you think like a buyer.
Consider : Home buyers don't always notice when your home is in working order. In fact, they expect it to be that way. What they do notice, however, is when things are "broken". When a buyer sees torn screens in your windows or burnt out light bulbs, it makes him wonder what else in the home has not been cared for.
This is one reason why -- especially during warmer months -- it's sensible to hire an exterminator prior to selling your home. If a prospective buyer uncovers bugs in your bathroom, it can leave a lasting, negative impression -- one that won't likely lead to a purchase contrast.
So, with "small repairs" in mind, here are 5 simple projects that you can tackle in a weekend, and that will help your home show better. Each is low-cost and high-impact:
- Repair or remove torn screen doors
- Fix all leaky faucets and toilets
- Touch up holes and cracks in paint, interior and exterior
- Apply a lubricant to squeaky doors and cabinets
- Get "clutter" into storage and physically out of the way
In addition, you'll want to pull weeds from your yard, seed any bare spots you find, and lay down fresh mulch, where appropriate.
You won't need to spend big bucks to get your home ready for sale but the time spent on repairs will have a pay-off in the end. Homes that show better often sell much faster, and at higher prices.
Labels: DIY, Home Repair, Remodeling Magazine
