Suggestions for Handling Mold and Mildew
Although water is soothing, too much of it can cause mold and stress you out. Dealing with a flooded basement, moldy drywall, or mildewed grout is not fun. It is best to leave this operation to the experts because DIY mold removal might cost thousands of dollars in additional remediation and repair costs.
Here are some tips for preventing water damage and the growth of mold as well as how to handle them if they happen.
How Mold Develops Following Water Exposure
Mold isn’t caused by just one thing. Mold may form due to water damage when there is a mix of water, food, temperature, and time.
- Water. Mold can only be grown with water, either in liquid or airborne form. Mold will develop quicker in areas with 80% or higher humidity levels.
- Food. Sometimes, organic products like drywall paper’s wood content, dust, dirt, glues, and other loose debris are called “food” for mold growth.
- Temperature. Mold often can not develop at temperatures below 80 ° F.
- Time. After water damage, mold does not appear immediately. A few weeks may pass before the mold appears under specific circumstances.
- Oxygen. For mold to develop, oxygen is necessary. But ample ventilation will be needed to dry out the area and stop the growth of mold development.
Can You Eliminate The Mold Yourself?
Homeowners should avoid cleaning the mold independently, which can spread airborne spores from heating and air conditioning systems. There are many ways to kill mold, but they are typically for surface-level mold and not for mold in areas that have been damaged by water. Click here to learn why getting professional help is essential and why you should choose PuroClean Mobile to handle your mold problems.
How to Adequately Address Mold Issues?
Follow these instructions to prevent mold development from starting in the first place.
Regulate Indoor Temperature
Mold removal services also aim to regulate moisture problems in your home. The worst infestations commonly develop in wet crawl spaces, attics, and walls where outside water has seeped into basements with inadequate foundation drainage. The most efficient defenses include the following:
- Keeping crawl spaces dry
- Avoiding leaks
- Ensuring ample attic ventilation
- Rerouting water away from the foundation
Take the Worst Contaminants First
Tell the difference between clear, gray, and black water damage. Despite appearing clean, clear water still has microbes in it. Gray water is dirtier from sinks, showers, and washing machines. The dirtiest water is black because it contains human or animal waste. Before resolving the gray and clear water damage, try to clean up any existing black water damage.
Allow Your Home to Dry Out
Air your house while waiting for a suitable expert to fix your flooding. All windows and doors should be left open, several fans should be installed to push humid air outside, and dehumidifiers should be left running for at least a few days. To reduce the frequency of emptying, look for a humidifier with a bigger container that can hold 60 or more quarts of water daily.
Hire a Professional
Air ducts, walls, and carpets can all serve as hiding places for mold. Avoid turning on your HVAC system if you believe it has been affected. Hire an expert to look over and clean your unit. Hiring a qualified mold removal company in your area to assess the concern and swiftly restore it to a normal, dry condition is the best choice if water damage or mold trouble feels out of control. Click here for more information.
Conclusion
While you might believe that using fans and wet-dry vacuums will help you dry out your water-damaged areas, we’ve found that most homeowners only partially dry out the areas. It is advisable to employ a professional to dry out the water-damaged areas because they often deal with mold prevention and cleanup in addition to drying out moist areas with specialist equipment. The expense of professionally drying water-damaged areas is often nearly covered by insurance.
