Renovating your home yourself is a great idea when issues are small and manageable. Things like replacing water-damaged carpet or scratched countertops is possible when you have proper training and access to the appropriate tools. However, some problems need to be fixed by experts. Chris Long, a renovation specialist from Home Depot, said you should always be aware of hazardous materials or toxic substances when you remodel.

"After all," he explained, "any time you have water or moisture, you have the potential for mold or mildew, and plumbing that was improperly installed . . . can be a breeding ground for nasty substances in and around your pipes and surrounding walls."

Fixing mold and mildew problems

Bathrooms are an area of the house with a propensity for problems. However, with the proper equipment and know-how, you can be your own handyman and fix some of the most common issues. Mildew is one nasty neighbor of the bathroom. It is found anywhere warm and moist, including bathtubs, showers, toilets, and sinks. If you catch it early enough, you can remove it with a normal household cleaning solvent and a scrub brush.

Symptoms of mold exposure

Mold is mildew's even nastier brother. Long said mold is "characterized by black and green spots that can start as little dots and spread to something with web-like tentacles that looks like it emerged from a bad horror flick from the '60’'s." Mold should be followed up on immediately, otherwise your health can be affected. Symptoms caused by mold include nasal discharge, sinus pressure, earaches, irritated eyes, mucous drainage, and headaches. Really long term exposure to mold can cause increasingly severe neurological problems.

Removing mold

Once mold is set in, the only way to fix it is to remove the entire affected surface and replace it. Porous materials like wood, sheetrock, drywall, and carpet can be especially susceptible to mold problems once the mold takes hold. When you go to remove the affected area, be sure to create a barrier between the bathroom and the rest of the house to prevent the spread of mold spores. Don’t forget to close or cover vents as well. When working in your bathroom to eradicate the mold, wear protective clothing such as goggles without ventilation holes, gloves, and a P-100 rated respirator.

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Source: http://sustainablog.org/2013/08/bath-renovation-mold-mildew/