With the rainy season coming on, the chances of your home exposure to water damage and mold growth increases. The main problem with changing season is the moisture problem for your home, which fuels mold growth. Continue reading if you are looking for mold remediation or water damage restoration.
What is mold?
In order to work on mold removal, you first need to understand what mold really is. Mold is fungi or simple microorganisms, which grow with moisture, oxygen, and food (sugar and starch). It takes 24 to 48 hours for the mold to start growing or make colonies on a wet or moisture exposed surface. Mold eats organic materials, which contains sugar and starch found in the wooden floors, panels, wallpaper, paint, wood, tiles etc. The mold destroys anything on which it grows and then moves to adjacent material for more mold growth and food.
The mold commonly comes in the water damaged areas which may be either flooding by a pipe burst or pipe leakage, sewage overflowing, roof or window leakage overflows from sink or tubs.
Be very careful during mold testing. As the mold is not only harmful to your home but also for your health. Few of the molds are toxic for your health, which may cause serious health issues. However, in large quantities, all molds can affect your health as their spores are in the air. Moreover, it is almost impossible for you to distinguish between harmful and unharmful molds. So, cover yourself properly i.e wear gloves, mask and eye covers before mold testing and mold removal. Better yet, have a professional look at it.
Mold exposure can adversely effect on your health as
* Breathing issues i.e wheezing and asthma attacks etc.
* Nasal and sinus congestion or dry
* Hacking cough Eye irritation i.e burning, watery, redness
* Nose or throat irritation i.e sneezing fits, bloody noses
* Skin irritations i.e rashes or hives
* Nervous system i.e headaches, memory loss, mood changes
* Aches and pains
If the mold is smaller and has not started to colonize, then take the following measures for mold removal. However, if the mold has started to colonize then you should call in the help of a professional.
For mold removal, here is what you should do
First, you should look for the source of water. If there is a pipe burst of leakage, fix it. On the other hand, if the rainwater is coming from the roof or windows then use water resistant ties and water resistant glue to stop water from coming into the house. Any area, which allows water to come in from outdoors, should be taken care through water-resistant materials. Make as much ventilation as possible.
Furthermore, keep your fabrics clean as infection or fungus may also grow from dirt in the fabrics. Dirt is also a great source of mold growth. Keep your home clean from dirt. Keep the fabrics in a well-ventilated area. Keep your home well ventilated and keep your windows open if outside moisture is less. Let the sunlight in your home. Direct sunlight also kills the mold and other such organisms. If there is mold in your home then DO NOT use fans, as it will allow for mold growth. Moreover, you are looking for mold removal not growing it. Look for places, which are ideal for mold to grow, and clean them.
This is most important, keep the moisture level low in your home and do not humidity go above 40%. Check the potential areas for mold growth regularly and disinfect often, either use bleach 11/4 to 11/2 cup to a gallon of water or use commercial disinfectant.
