How To Deal With Mold After Water Damage?
Mold is one of the biggest enemies of humans, furniture, and homes. No matter how much you look after your home or try to prevent mold from taking place, it will do so sooner or later. Almost every household has experienced mold due to water damage or moisture issues at least once in their lifetime. Dealing with mold can be a frustrating issue but you should know how to get rid of it after water damage. Below is some important information that will help you take control of the situation and properly carry out mold removal.
What Actually Is Mold And Mildew?
Before we can discuss how to deal with mold after water damage, it is important that you understand the concept, which is a part of fixing the issue as well as preventing it in the future. While many people are aware of why mold and mildew take place, not many know what mold and mildew actually are and the effect they can have on the surroundings.
In simple words, mold and mildew are fungi types that thrive in humid and damp conditions. These are airborne spores that are carried away by air and will grow wherever they land, especially in moist areas. Mold and mildew tend to be the biggest enemies of furniture items.
These fungi can settle in hidden or hard-to-access areas without anybody noticing until things turn worse. At the same time, mold comes in different types and can range from not deadly to extremely dangerous to humans. Mold is known to cause chronic health problems amongst humans and animals.
Mold and mildew growth is stimulated due to water accumulation if there is a blockage or leakage somewhere in the house. For instance, if there is a blockage in the refrigerator resulting in a water puddle underneath the unit, you can rest assured mold will grow in a short span of time.
This is why, if you observe or experience unusual behavior like skin rashes, sneezing, or water eyes, you should consider that there might be mold in the house. Sometimes, finding it can be a real task as well and you will need to contact an expert.
How To Prevent Mold And Mildew After Water Damage?
Water damage can many problems and one of them is mold and mildew growth. In most cases, homeowners after finding out mold and mildew tend to ignore it thinking it will go away on its own.
The fact of the matter is that it doesn’t. As long as there is water, moisture, and humidity in the area, mold and mildew will only grow and not go away. To properly eradicate mold and mildew, you will have to fix it from the root. For instance, as mentioned earlier, if the mold and mildew growth is due to a blockage in the refrigerator, you will need to clean it.
A common misconception surrounding mold and mildew is that getting rid of the fungi solves everything and it won’t return. No matter how much it is stressed, people still fail to consider fixing the root cause as they tend to avoid the expenses.
There is no benefit in removing mold and mildew if there is a leakage in the house. Mold and mildew will show up again after a few days of removing and cleaning the area. So, fixing the cause of the leakage or water damage is critical.
After water damage, you should cleanup quickly because the first 24-48 hours the most important. If things are not dried properly, mold will start growing. And if both mold and mildew remain undetected, it will promote further damage such as wood rot. Furthermore, you need to keep in mind that mold and mildew can take place in areas that are hardly visible or accessible, which is also the nature of leakages sometimes.
The best way to prevent mold and mildew or stop it in its tracks is by using dehumidifiers and fans to speed up the drying process. This also helps maintain a low-humidity environment. In addition to that, if you have repaired or renovated your home after water damage, you should consider using mold-resistant materials like mold-resistant drywall.
These are paperless materials and help prevent mold growth. Plus, using them creates a protective barrier what prevents mold and mildew growth on your walls. Plus, preventing mold growth in bathrooms is important so dry the area and also waterproof the bathroom.
How To Detect Mold After Water Damage?
Detecting mold as quickly as possible is critical for maintaining a healthy environment. Sometimes, the mold is clearly there but we tend to turn a blind eye to it. Signs of mold include a discolored patches on walls or surfaces, musty odor, and green or black spots on surfaces
At the same time, you will observe and experience coughing, headaches, sneezing rashes, etc. If you ignore this issue for long, these health issues can turn into something serious. There are mold testing kits out there that you can purchase and try detecting mold and mildew on your own.
But we suggest hiring an expert who will do a better job at ensuring that mold does not return. The reason is that while you will be able to get rid of the mold but the root cause will still need to be fixed. So, hiring a mold remediation Silver Spring service will allow you to deal with both issues at the same time.
How To Respond To Mold And Mildew Growth?
If you experience skin rashes, eye irritation, or other symptoms related to mold and mildew growth or come across some visible signs, do not panic. If both mold and mildew tend to be in their initial stages, you will be able to fix them before they turn serious.
The first thing you will need to do is cordon or limit the area so that the fungi cannot spread to other areas and affect wood and other expensive items. Then, you should turn on the fans or dehumidifiers to ensure moisture has a way out. But, keep in mind that you should not wait for the mold to go away on its own, you will need to get rid of mold stains.
Grab some chemicals and cleaning agents from your local supermarket and wear some gloves and other protective equipment. This will help prevent fungus from contacting your eyes or hands etc.
How To Find A Credible Professional?
Considering the number of options out there, it is easy for you to become confused or face complications while looking for a reputable team to deal with the task. The best way to narrow down the options is by asking your social circle for referrals.
Plus, you can also look over the internet and gather options followed by a personal visit or asking some questions to determine whether they can do what they boast about. Finally, pick the option that offers the best package.
Conclusion
Dealing with mold and mildew is easy if you know what to do. Unfortunately, people either panic or are simply don’t pay any attention to it. But the information mentioned above will not only help you fix the problem but also avoid it in the future. Make sure that you have a water damage restoration Potomac professional on speed dial as well.
Categories: Home & Garden