Mold growing indoors is unpleasing and can be unhealthy. Over time, unchecked mold growth can spread and form colonies in other areas of your home or place of business. It is important to detect the signs of mold early on to prevent health problems and protect your building materials, especially woodwork. Here ServiceMaster by Disaster Relief discusses mold and the signs you need to look out for.
What is mold?
Mold is a kind of fungus that comes in different colors and shapes. It comes in black, white, gray or green. Most molds survive and produce in moist areas. There are some molds that can easily be seen while some are stinky. They usually grow on walls, under ceilings and floors, or areas that are not accessible.
Molds are fungi that grow from microscopic spores that can be found in the air and develop on surfaces in clusters. Exposure to these microscopic spores can provoke allergic reactions, especially for asthmatic people or persons who have compromised immune systems. Even a healthy individual’s defense immunization system can be lowered, causing one to get sick.
These are the most common places where mold is likely to thrive:
- Leaking pipes, roofs, and windows
- Basements that have been flooded and haven’t been thoroughly dried
- Very tightly sealed buildings
- Homes with poor ventilation
Mold can cause health problems if not removed immediately. Some molds can cause rashes, seizures, unusual bleeding, and most respiratory problems.
Signs You Might Have Mold in Your Property
This is one of a homeowner’s worst nightmare: being overwhelmed by an unpleasant, powerful odor. You are looking for what is causing that horrible smell and find a patch of something on the wall and on your carpet. Here are several things that indicate that you might have mold in your area.
Allergic symptoms
- If you are allergic to mold and mildew and are suffering from that problem, there might be mold growing somewhere in your home.
- Sneezing, sore eyes, and a runny nose are the most common allergic reactions when you sniff mold.
Strange odors
- Mold releases an unusual smell. If you detect a musty odor, that’s a sign of mold growing in your area. You can locate the smell and have a professional remove it for you.
- Call an expert if you notice that there are molds growing in inaccessible areas like the back of walls.
Condensation
- Condensation is often a sign of excess moisture. It usually appears on metal pipes or glass windows.
- A great deal of dampness or moisture in your home is perfect for mold growth.
Water leaks
- Mold from leaks can often be hidden. If a leak is situated behind a wall or any inaccessible surface, mold growth can be hard to locate.
- There will be mold hiding somewhere out of view, behind a wall or any other surface from which water is seeping through, especially around plumbing.
Steps to Prevent Mold Growth
Whether the water damage is caused by flooding or any other source, if water is trapped inside or behind walls, the elements that are needed for mold growth are most likely present. It is best to take action immediately to reduce the damage and prevent mold from spreading.
- Immediately dry areas. Try cleaning and drying the areas that are easily reached by water within 48 hours to avoid mold growth. It’s best to contact a professional for this since they have all the needed drying equipment.
- Be aware of warning signs. Continue to be sensitive to smelly odors in the affected area after cleaning and drying.
- Take a peek outside. Always check the exterior of your homes or buildings for collected groundwater. When the ground is soaked, molds begin to form outside and find their way inside the house. If the water has been collected in your area, take preventive measures to drain the water away from your place. Keeping your things dry is one of the best key steps to mold growth prevention.
- Removing damaged materials. If materials are wet and cannot be cleaned, discard them and find replacements.
Contact Us for Mold Inspection and Remediation in Clearwater, Florida
If you find mold in your property, do not worry! You can call an expert to help you with your problem. ServiceMaster by Disaster Relief offers mold inspection in Clearwater, Florida and the surrounding areas. If the worst happens, you can remodel your house using mold-resistant materials.
Contact ServiceMaster by Disaster Relief at (813) 295-7797 or message us to know more about our restoration services. We service Oldsmar, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Largo, Pinellas Park, Tarpon Springs, Dunedin, Safety Harbor, Florida and surrounding areas.
