Critical Steps to Manage Mold Damage Emergencies
3/8/2023 (Permalink)
Mold can cause major damage to your health and your home or building. Mold spores are all around us, both indoors and outdoors. It can enter a building through doors or windows, cooling or heating systems, and even on clothing or pets. Mold spores are microscopic, making it impossible to know when mold enters your home or building.
Therefore, mold prevention is key. And since mold thrives on moisture, maintaining the appropriate humidity level may stave off troublesome mold. Aim to keep indoor humidity below 45%. Still, mold can make its way into your building. If it does, the critical steps to manage mold damage emergencies are identification, mitigation, and seeking professional assistance.
Identify the Mold
Trust your senses when it comes to mold in your home or business. Most of the time, mold can be seen or smelled. Mold emits a stale, musty odor. An unfamiliar smell may be a sign on mold. Trace the smell to its source and look for further indications of mold damage in the area.
Visible mold can come in various colors, including white, gray, brown, black, yellow or green. The texture of mold growth may appear cottony, leathery, or velvety. Mold may blend in with its surroundings. Check your home or business for damp, wet areas. Water damage often leads to mold growth. Microscopic mold spores can quickly grow into colonies when exposed to moisture.
Begin Mold Remediation
After an initial investigation into the mold, do not delay in taking action. The initial stages of smaller mold remediation can be done by yourself. Mold may be removed from hard surfaces using household products, such as soap and water or a bleach solution of no more than one cup of laundry bleach in one gallon of water. The Center for Disease Control provides precautions should you use bleach to clean up mold.
In addition to removing the mold, you must fix the moisture problem right away. Since mold spreads quickly, rapid action should be taken. However, it is important to note that mold can be very harmful to your health. If mold rapidly multiplies or returns immediately following removal, contact a mold remediation specialist.
Contact a Mold Removal Expert
Some mold remediation and mold removal is too dangerous or difficult for the homeowner or business owner to manage. When an expert is needed, contact mold emergency experts SERVPRO of South Palm Beach at (561) 325-6763. A mold expert can quickly tend to the problem using current techniques and equipment. A mold remediation expert will inspect and assess the problem.
Then, the expert contains the mold and ensures the air is filtering through. The next step is mold removal from the building and materials. Once the mold is out, the building may be thoroughly cleaned. The final step in the mold remediation process is restoration. Professional mold remediation and removal experts can restore your home or business. The sooner the problem is identified the greater chance of an easy restoration.
Remember, the homeowner or business owner should regularly check for water damage and excess moisture. A strange odor should never be ignored. Early detection is one of the most critical components of managing mold damage. When in doubt, contact a mold remediation specialist to make a plan for assessment and removal.