Storm restoration and What You Need to Know
Tell Tale Signs you May have a Mold Problem
There are a lot of reasons for homes to experience a mold problem. Mold forms from a number situations. Anywhere from getting a carpet wet, or a pipe bursting to simply having a lot of moisture in the air. Whatever the reason may be, your family needs to know the signs of mold in your home. Going without notice can cause people to develop health issues and other problems in their household. Here is how you and your family can notice if you have mold growing in your home.
Smell
If your family begins to notice a surprising smell in your house after water damage, then mold may be the culprit. Mold carries a distinct, musty smell to it. If anyone starts noticing an unusual musty smell, it’s probably time you get your place checked for mold.[3]
Restoration companies who deal with water damage often know how to restore a home after a potential water hazards. They are able to help when you’ve experienced a flood by way of of a pipe that’s leaking, problems with plumbing, appliance which are broke, a leaky roof etc. A flood can cause a whole list of problems in your home. Here’s why it’s usually recommended that people should turn to a water damage restoration company when experiencing such problems.
Visual
One easily identifiable way of knowing you may have a mold issue is by spotting what looks to be mold. Many people try to ignore these tiny mold areas because they’re thinking it’s just dirt or soot. When really, it can be the start of mold. Mold begin with small spots that are often green, black or a greyish brown color. Many times mold can show up as pink, purple or orange in some instances. Mold sometimes even looks to be thread-like or white. It really just depends on where it’s located and the type of mold your dealing with. Mold often starts off in tiny spots but will grow rapidly, so the 1st sign of mold should immediately be taken care of or you run the risk of it spreading everywhere before you know it.
Prevent Structural Damage And Mold
Both excessive moisture and water can lead to structural damage within an apartment, house, or building. Which is why you’ll probably want to hire a restoration specialist who deals with water damage. When you ignore a serious mold problem, and it is left untreated it can also cause structural damage. This can end up costing you thousands of dollars to repair, so ensure you look at hiring a professional before the cost ends up being bigger than your original problem. If you’re not mold is a problem in your home, a specialist will be able to quickly inform you if your in any danger. Even simply after a rainy season, it’s almost always a smart idea to have your home checked for mold, water damage etc. But these aren’t the only signs that you may have a mold problem after a storm; The Center of Disease Control and Prevention recommends “If you have health problems that get worse when you return home, like asthma or allergy attacks or skin or eye irritation, you may still have some mold.”[5] Please see the chart to the right to see when the CDC recommends using bleach to clean up your home after experiencing water damage.
Sometimes it May be Best Left to the Professionals
You see, professionals have specialized equipment with the right tools to analyze or repair any damage done. They’ll have high-powered vacuums, equipment to help with the proper drying, supplies used by cleaning professionals, and much more high-tech equipment; and also will ensure all water is extracted from your home in a safe and timely manner. Not to mention they will deodorize your home while using the proper drying techniques for your individual situation. A professional will decide what type of techniques are best suited for your needs at the time. It’s important to remember water damage jobs are best left for the experienced professionals.
If you aren’t used to handling issues such as mold removal, you could seriously injure yourself or someone else in your household. It’s best not to take any risks when it comes to yours, and the safety of your family and/or pets who will depend on however the situation is resolved to be done safely. These experts are the best to contact when it comes to water damage restoration because of storm damage, and they’ll also send a professional clean-up crew to your home, so you will feel good knowing that the job won’t leave a mess once finished.
Self-Repair Techniques
While cleaning up or trying to remove mold on your own in your home, it is important to remember to throw away any absorbent materials such as ceiling tiles or carpet if mold is noticed. Many times, these are hard to spot however, as mold can grow in empty space and tiny crevices in absorbing material.[1]
It is also important to realize the dangers of painting over mold surfaces. Be sure to dry and clean any surfaces with mold exposure before painting. Not only s this for your safety, but paint covering surfaces with mold is more likely to peel.[1]
[1] – Environmental Protection Agency, “Mold Cleanup in Your Home”, https://www.epa.gov/mold/mold-cleanup-your-home#TipsandTechniques
[2] – AccuWeather, “Expert tips for preventing mold growth or remediating mold in your home after a flood”, https://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/expert-tips-for-preventing-mold-growth-or-remediating-mold-in-your-home-after-a-flood/70002740
[3] – CBS-KFVS12, “Checking for mold after recent rain”, http://www.kfvs12.com/2019/03/11/checking-mold-after-recent-rain/
[4] – http://www.startribune.com/rainfall-and-snowmelt-creating-perfect-storm-for-soggy-basements/507173452/
[5] – The Center of Disease Control and Prevention, “Homeowner’s and Renter’s Guide to Mold Cleanup After Disasters”
https://www.cdc.gov/mold/cleanup-guide.html
[6] The Center of Disease Control and Prevention, “Mold Clean-Up After Disasters: When to Use Bleach”, https://www.cdc.gov/mold/pdfs/BLEACH_USE-fs-P.pdf