Mold is a prevalent fungus whose spores are constantly floating in the air. When these spores land on damp surfaces, they reproduce and can be a big problem for home or business owners.
There are different species of mold; some can even affect air quality and cause allergies and severe health problems for some people, with respiratory conditions such as bronchitis, asthma, or an autoimmune disease.
This mold is a consequence of the presence of humidity or water. It can grow anywhere: walls, ceilings, carpets, clothing, footwear, furniture, paper, etc. Colored stains or odors are good indicators that mold may be present, and that the property may have a relative humidity problem.
When mold is detected, we must be very diligent in eliminating it and follow the appropriate steps to remedy it.
Tips to prevent mold growth
1. Control excess moisture
To prevent mold growth, keep your property’s humidity levels as low as possible, such as lowering you’re A/C. It is essential to address water leaks as soon as possible since mold begins to form within 24 and 48 hours.
Read here: How to Protect Your Property from Hidden Water Leaks?
2. Pay attention to the bathroom
As humidity is a factor in mold reproduction, one of the rooms where humidity accumulates the most is in the bathroom.
To prevent mold build-up, install an exhaust fan on the ceiling and keep it running before and after showers. Also, you can open the window slightly when you shower to avoid condensation. When you finish using the bathroom, there are several sprays available to minimize mold growth.
3. Check your kitchen
Like the bathroom, keep all kitchen surfaces dry and periodically check the faucets and pipes under the sink for water leaks.
Also periodically check under and behind the refrigerator because these areas tend to accumulate moisture and may cause mold growth.
4. Check A/C closet and hot water tank for leaks
Wet surfaces are a problem for your home or business. Not only will they encourage mold and mildew, but wet surfaces can cause lasting damage to your property.
If any piece of furniture gets wet, dry it thoroughly as soon as possible. Avoid placing rugs in areas where moisture is a problem.
Mold can also be present in hidden areas such as behind wallpaper (glue can act as food for mold), under carpets, around air conditioning units, in baseboards, and on windowsills.
How to Repair Mold Damage?
What can you do when you find mold growth?
You should first contact a specialist in mold remediation to help you address the problem.
Although we can implement the good practices mentioned above to prevent its growth, sometimes the appearance of mold is due to structural failures of the property.
Whatever the case, only a qualified expert should be contacted. Once the problem is detected, they will advise the most effective treatment to eliminate the problem at the source, depending on the mold type and the damage size.
Specialists implement technology like containment and negative air pressure to prevent mold spores from spreading to other structures on the property.
The mold remediator uses antifungal and antimicrobial treatment to remove and prevent new growth. For that reason, it is necessary to remove mold on all the material infested like wallpaper, drywall, floor, or other surfaces that can’t be saved for deep cleaning.
The size of the mold problem is one of the factors that determine whether you can remove and clean yourself or if you should hire a professional.
According to the EPA (the United States Environmental Protection Agency), if the moldy area is more than 10 square feet (more than roughly a 3 ft. by 3 ft. patch), it is advisable to contact a professional with references and proven experience in this type of work.
Remember that the most important thing for residential and business owners is ensuring a safe and healthy environment for everyone living there.
Do you have mold issues at your property? Not sure? Call Insurance Repair Specialists (954) 725-2895
