Although many people realize that mold can be a problem, often they don’t realize how damaging it can be to your property and your health. It is important to get rid of it by performing a mold remediation in a building as quickly as possible to prevent numerous potentially serious problems.
Where does it come from?
Mold infestation forms when mold spores land on something wet, which is why homes damaged by water must be cleaned by mold remediation experts within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth. It is impossible to completely protect indoor environments from the spores themselves. They may come in through open windows or doors, HVAC systems with outdoor air intakes, or clinging to clothes, bags, shoes, or pets.
Is mold growth only a concern after major water damage?
It does not take a major amount of water damage to start mold growing. Often people associate mold growth as an aftereffect of a flooding situation. Though that is certainly a possibility, people need to be aware of the multitude of small ways moisture can encourage the growth.
For example, if there has been a leak around pipes, from the roof, or within the walls, mold spores will grow. Even areas around potted plants may provide the right environment.
To make matters worse, many of the materials found in homes and buildings even provide a kind of nutrient for the spores. Paper products, including cardboard, ceiling tiles, wood and objects made from wood, wallpaper, insulation, drywall, carpeting, upholstery, and fabric all encourage mold to grow.
If not effectively cleaned by mold remediation experts, mold will gradually destroy whatever it grows on. This can cause damage to your home and your furnishings. Getting rid of the growth of mold will save you money and prevent health problems.
What are some of the health concerns related to mold growth?
It is very common for people to have allergic reactions to mold. Sometimes these reactions occur right away, or the response might be delayed. Allergic reactions may be mild, for example a runny nose, sneezing, or red eyes. More serious reactions include irritation of the nose, throat and lungs. Extensive mold infestation of certain strains of mold can cause the air quality in a building to become toxic.
How can I get rid of mold?
Getting rid of mold usually requires the services of professional mold remediation experts. Generally if you find mold growing in a patch less than 3 feet by 3 feet, you can clean the area yourself. However, there are a number of times when you should call a trained mold remediation cleaning service. For example, if there’s been a lot of water damage or the mold growth covers more than 10 square feet, it is vital to act quickly to stop the growth.
If the air ducts in a building might be contaminated by mold, don’t run the HVAC system. If you do, you risk spreading mold all throughout the building and making the problem much worse. Call in a qualified mold remediation professional like ABC Restoration in Florida to clean the duct work and ensure that the air quality will be maintained.
If the water damage was caused by some kind of contaminated water, for example sewage, make sure the mold remediation professional you call is experienced in dealing with this high level of contamination.
How can mold be kept out of homes and buildings?
As part of your standard building maintenance plan, look for evidence of water damage and mold growth. Fix any water leaks or areas of condensation to prevent mold from growing or re-growing. If possible, keep the humidity level below 50%. Use air conditioners and dehumidifiers during local humid seasons.
Make sure you have plenty of ventilation, especially exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens. When painting, add a mold inhibitor to the paint. Clean with mold-killing cleaners, and do not use carpeting in bathrooms. If carpets anywhere in the house become flooded, replace them.
If you think you may have a mold problem, call us. We can assess the situation and steer you in the right direction.