Advice on How to Handle Water Damage and Mold

Although water is calming, too much of it can cause mold and stress you out. Dealing with a flooded basement, moldy drywall, or mildewed grout is not pleasurable. It is best to leave this operation to the experts because DIY mold removal might cost thousands of dollars in additional restoration and repair costs.

Here are some tips for preventing water damage and the growth of mold as well as how to handle them if they occur.

How Mold Develops Following Water Exposure

Mold isn’t caused by just one thing. Mold may form due to water damage when there is a mix of water, food, temperature, and time.

• Water. Mold can only be grown with water, either in liquid or airborne form. Mold will develop more readily in areas with 80% or higher humidity levels.
• Food. Sometimes, organic products like drywall paper’s wood content, dust, dirt, glues, and other loose debris are called “food” for mold growth. Call a professional restoration company if you notice green or black mold in your home.
• Temperature. Mold often cannot develop at temperatures below 80°F.
• Time. After water damage, mold does not appear right away. A few weeks may pass before the mold appears under specific circumstances.
• Oxygen. For mold to develop, oxygen is necessary. But ample ventilation will dry the area and stop mold growth.

Can You Eliminate The Mold Yourself?

Homeowners should avoid cleaning the mold independently, which can spread airborne spores from heating and air conditioning systems. There are many ways to kill mold, but they are typically for surface-level mold and not for mold in areas that have been damaged by water. 

How to Adequately Address Mold Issues?

Follow these instructions to prevent mold development from starting in the first place.

Regulate Indoor Temperature

Mold and mildew may be avoided by regulating moisture. The worst infestations typically develop in wet crawl spaces, attics, and walls where outside water has seeped into basements with inadequate foundation drainage. The most effective defenses include the following:

• Keeping crawl spaces dry
• Avoiding leaks
• Ensuring adequate attic ventilation
• Rerouting water away from the foundation

Take the Worst Contaminants First

Know the difference between clear, gray, and black water damage. Despite appearing clean, clear water still has microbes in it. Gray water is dirtier from sinks, showers, and washing machines. The dirtiest water is black because it contains human or animal waste. Before addressing the gray and clear water damage, try to clean up any present black water damage. Click this link to direct you to a reputable water damage restoration service.

Allow Your Home to Dry Out

Air out your house while waiting for a suitable professional to fix your flooding. All windows and doors should be left open, several fans should be installed to push humid air outside, and dehumidifiers should be left running for at least a few days. To reduce the frequency of emptying, look for a humidifier with a bigger tank that can hold 60 or more quarts of water daily.

Hire a Professional

Air ducts, walls, and carpets can all serve as hiding places for mold. Avoid turning on your HVAC system if you suspect it has been affected. Hire a professional to look over and clean your unit. Suppose a water issue or a mold problem feels out of control. In that case, the best alternative is to hire a qualified mold removal company like PuroClean of Mobile in your region to analyze the situation and quickly restore it to a normal, dry state.

Conclusion

While you might believe that using fans and wet-dry vacuums will help you dry out your water-damaged areas, we’ve found that most homeowners only partially dry out the areas. It is advisable to employ a professional to dry out the water-damaged areas because they frequently deal with mold prevention and cleanup in addition to drying out damp areas with specialist equipment. The expense of professionally drying water-damaged areas is often nearly covered by insurance.