As you can imagine, when water enters a home, it can cause extensive damage. Not only does it ruin property and belongings, but mold will also begin to grow and take over everything in its path.
In this blog post we'll go over: the causes of mold after a flood or other occurrences of water damage; service of restore water damage or the spread of black mold and mildew; and how to eliminate icicles from surfaces like drywall, flooring, etc.
Prevention is the key.
Mold, like other fungi, needs moisture to survive. And it thrives in the presence of moisture and certain chemicals. Even if there isn't water present, mold can still start growing. The only way to prevent this is by keeping your home dry and not having any water inside. To do this you'll need to:
a. Seal your home off
b. Prevent any extra moisture from coming in and forming mold
(1) Seal your home off.
Mold can enter a home through almost any opening, including metal electrical outlets, vents, and light fixtures. You'll need to cover these openings with a sealant if you want to remove mold growth inside the house.
(2) Prevent any extra moisture from coming in and forming mold.
You should continue to keep your home dry even after you seal it up to prevent the mold from growing back. Mold is a naturally occurring fungus that will thrive in conditions similar to those the fungus enjoys at its natural habitats.
A basement or a bathroom are the most common spots for mold to grow. Basements, specifically, have higher levels of moisture. And the excess moisture in both basements and bathrooms provide the right conditions for mold to spread.
You need to:
a. Reduce humidity in your home by turning off the central system and opening doors and windows when it rains or when you're taking a hot shower or bath. This will help prevent moisture from building up inside your home, causing mold to form again.
b. Check appliances and open cabinets to make sure there's no water inside. You'll need to unplug appliances if you can't get them out of the way and make sure there's no standing water inside any of your cabinets.
c. Keep your HVAC system in good condition and serviced regularly by professionals. This will allow you to detect issues or any damage that might cause moisture to build up outside or inside the home.
d. Check for leaks. Leaks will allow dampness to build up in your property, allowing mold to grow on the walls, ceilings, and floors.
e. Erect a barrier around your home and keep it open only when necessary; such as during construction or repair works. You will still need to seal the area with tape or other household insulation materials though since moisture will still continue to seek its way inside it in some cases (i.e., after heavy rainstorms).
f. Remove excess moisture in your home.
(1)It's impossible to completely remove the moisture inside your home, as it will keep coming back with every rain. The only that you can do is to do is reduce the amount of moisture there is inside your home. As mentioned above, this can be done by: increasing airflow with open windows and doors; and unplugging appliances from walls that have standing water.
(2) The amount of water in your home will also be affected in the event that you have to put up a barrier due to construction or repair works.
To prevent mold from growing, you'll need to:
a. Stop the inflow of water and moisture levels inside your house.
b. Eliminate excess moisture in your home by sealing it off using tape or other moisture-proof materials.
c. Eliminate the moisture in your home by turning off the central system, opening windows to let in extra air, and unplugging appliances from electrical outlets that have standing water inside them.
d. Clear away any excess moisture that can't be managed easily. Don't just throw it away though, as you may end up with mold growing on your property again if you don't prepare properly and follow all the steps above before disposing of the water-soaked things.
(1) Store the excess water outside your premises or in an enclosed storage area that can be sealed off properly. If you're planning to store the water inside your home, make sure you seal it off before storing it.
(2) You can use a dehumidifier to eliminate excess moisture from areas with high levels of humidity, such as basements and bathrooms.
(3) If you're using an electronic or natural dehumidifier to eliminate moisture and prevent mold from growing, make sure you check the unit frequently and change the filters in it periodically.
(4) You can also use fan-assisted dehumidifiers which work by circulating hot air supplied by a fan through the unit to eliminate all moisture inside your home. But make sure that this device doesn't create pulling conditions in your home's air as the unit can trap in more moisture than it eliminates.
Conclusion:
Mold can cause serious health issues if the spores are inhaled. That's why when you have a water damage in your home, you're going to need to fix the source of the mold before it becomes worse and spreads to your other belongings.
If there's still excess moisture inside your home after you've fixed the source of the problem, make sure that you follow all the steps above to prevent mold from growing again. Mold is a fungus that thrives and spreads quickly.
Author Bio:- Jacqueline Lewis
Jacqueline is a content marketing manager who formerly worked at Cali's Choice Plumbing & Restoration. She is a writer, editor, and content strategist for plumbing services. Making her knowledge and skills a power, she amplifies the readers’ knowledge about the ways of water leak and slab leak detection and their reciprocation.
Through her articles, she shares the most successful tactics and strategies of slab leak repair, mitigating blockages through Hydro Jetting, and AC & heater installation tips to the audience.