Never Leave Water Damage Unchecked
Did you know that mold usually starts to grow within 24 or 48 hours when water is present? Many homeowners neglect to treat existing water damage because the issue looks relatively small or insignificant. However, even the smallest leak can lead to some big problems. It is crucial to deal with water damage early to ensure that the leak doesnt spread. Water damage that is not treated right away can end up causing severe structural damage that requires extensive repair. It is also one of the most common causes of mold in the home because the moisture creates a perfect environment for mold to grow. Some types of mold, particularly black mold, can become health hazards if they are left unchecked. Some people tend to have allergic reactions to even non-toxic mold. These tend to manifest with the following symptoms:
- Runny noses
- Itchy, red, and/or watery eyes
- Excessive sneezing
- Cough and postnasal drip
Dealing with water damage early can prevent mold growth, which can in turn prevent these health problems.
How To Identify Black Mold On Drywall
Drywall can also take on a distinct look after spores have spread and taken root in it. Like wood, it can look water stained and discolored. The drywall in your walls and ceilings can become yellowed, browned or have what looks to be water streaks in it.
Rot is another common side effect of this fungal growth. The drywall fixtures in your home might collapse or fall through easily because of it. They also may be easy to crumble or tear holes in if you touch or step on them.
Finally, fungal-infested drywall can smell musty, old and dirty. If you notice these types of odors in your drywall fixtures, you should suspect that they are full of spores and need to be torn out and replaced immediately.
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Is Black Mold Dangerous Or Toxic
Though black mold has a reputation for being toxic, it has not been shown to be any more dangerous than other types of molds according to reports from the CDC and others.
Mold in general can be dangerous to individuals who have been exposed to it and who are sensitive to its spores.
The extent of health-related issues can vary depending on the sensitivity of the individual, the size of the mold infestation, and the time spent inhaling the spores.
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What Are The Signs Of Mold In Your House
Musty smells are a tell-tale sign of mold. Another common indicator is visible signs of water damage.
As mentioned earlier, mold grows fast. Within 24 hours of a water leak, or a flood, mold will begin to take hold. This mold can grow on anything thats humid walls, floors, ceilings, furniture, and even wet laundry.
When there is a chance of mold, its important to have a professional in to test. Professionals qualified to do environmental investigations can:
- Check the surfaces of your house for mold
- Test the air for spores
- Help you to identify sources of moisture
- Identify where the mold is growing and help you decontaminate your house
- Use natural enzymes to kill mold spores
If you dont get rid of all sources of mold, you risk getting sick from it.
Your Wallpaper Is Peeling
While some discoloration and scruffiness are bound to strike your wallpaper eventually, unusual peeling or surface abnormalities like bubbling or cracking can signal the presence of moisture in the wall. Moisture is a reliable precursor to mold.
Keep an eye on your walls and make sure to pay attention to any areas that feel damp or look warped.
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Why Choose Hrs Restoration Services
HRS Restoration Services employs the best technicians in the industry. Our trained and certified team is able to assist you, the homeowner, in bringing your home back to its pre-damaged condition in the quickest and safest fashion.
Using the latest technology, we are able to provide water and mold damage restoration in Denver. Our technicians stop water from coming in and identify hidden mold colonies, limiting the chance that mold would return to your home.
Protecting the health and safety of your loved ones is our highest priority and our team is ready to help as soon as you suspect mold is growing in your home.
How Do You Keep Mold Out Of Buildings And Homes
Inspect buildings for evidence of water damage and visible mold as part of routine building maintenance, Correct conditions causing mold growth to prevent mold growth.
Inside your home you can control mold growth by:
- Controlling humidity levels
- Promptly fixing leaky roofs, windows, and pipes
- Thoroughly cleaning and drying after flooding
- Ventilating shower, laundry, and cooking areas.
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Will A Dehumidifier Help With Mold
A dehumidifier makes the external conditions less welcoming to mold by removing moisture, they reduce the chances of mold growth. An air purifier, however, removes mold spores from the air, making it harder for mold and mildew to create new colonies. HEPA filters are one of the most important tools for removing mold.
Previous Water Damage Event
Have you previously had the misfortune of discovering a water damage event like flooding or burst pipes in your home? If the water was extracted efficiently and properly, there is likely resulting mold growth.
Because fungus feeds on moisture, water damage often leads to mold problems which can be costly and can potentially harm the structural integrity of your home. To learn about how to manage a water damage event, clickhere.
Fungus and mold need water to thrive. If you have previously had the misfortune of experiencing a water damage event in your home, it is important to ensure that there is no resulting mold problem. At the first sign of mold, call the experts at ProClean at 484-8500.
ProClean Pensacola
According to the EPA, there is no simple way to eliminate all mold within a home, so it is important to stay diligent in detecting any possible problems.
If you notice any of the above warning signs, it is important to thoroughly and comprehensively remove mold colonies before they multiply even further.
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Your Eyes Are Watery And Stinging
People can have allergic reactions to mold, explains Purvi Parikh, MD, an allergist/immunologist with Allergy & Asthma Network. The symptoms can include itchy and watery eyes, coughing, and nasal congestion. If you suspect mold is triggering these symptoms, the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology suggests you track your reactions for two weeks to see if they kick in when youre in certain rooms or spaces within your house. You can also visit an allergist for a blood or skin test to confirm the allergy.
You Feel Like You Have A Lingering Cold Or Are Battling Flu
“It is pretty tough to detect until it starts coming through the walls because mold, as you know, is a problem with some sort of leak somewhere,” Hayes-Raitt said. “So the problem starts behind the walls. But if you’re getting sick, it might be because of a mold problem.”
If you’re dealing with symptoms that you can’t exactly pinpoint, it could be that you’re stressed, haven’t been taking care of yourself, or wound up with some sort of virus, of course, but it could also potentially be that you’re dealing with mold.
If possible, Hayes-Raitt said that one of the best ways to determine if the sickness you feel is related to the house or not is to leave for a few days and then return home. If you feel those same symptoms coming on again, it might be the result of something more than a cold or virus.
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In On And Under The Kitchen Sink
A lot happens in your kitchen sink. Dirty dishes pile up , food goes through the garbage disposal, wet sponges sit in the sink or in caddies and collect bacteria, and faucets run. All of these things contribute to the potential for mold growth, so check in these areas often if you want to prevent mold. Oh, and dont forget to check underneath the sink leaky pipes are a big problem for mold.
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How To Check For Mold In Your House Or Apartment
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Mold is the most common source of indoor air quality problems in houses and apartments.
With the average American spending 90% of their time indoors, according to the EPA, the presence of mold is something everyone should be concerned about.
Over time, exposure to mold spores can produce the following signs and symptoms:
- Musty, earthy odors
- Asthma or allergy symptoms while indoors
- Difficulty breathing
- Skin rashes
How to Check for Mold
To check for mold, look for discoloration on surfaces with a slimy, fuzzy, or powdery texture.
Mold can sometimes grow in hard-to-spot places, such as behind wallpaper, inside vents, or in an attic or basement.
Start by inspecting your house or apartment for leaky pipes or any other signs or sources of moisture. Mold always needs moisture to grow, so look in areas and surfaces that have been recently exposed to water, humidity, or condensation.
When you check for mold, youll want to answer these 3 questions:
- Do you have mold?
- What caused it?
- Where is it located?
With answers the questions above, youll have a much higher chance of successfully getting rid of the mold and keeping your house or apartment mold-free in the future.
If you discover mold growing in your home, its important to take steps promptly to find and remove it.
If You Suspect Mold in Your House or Apartment
Here is a list of common places to check for signs of mold:
Issues That Cause Mold And Mildew
Moisture is the chief cause behind the growth of mold and mildew. Mold spores entering your home are inevitable this is difficult to stop. But you can stop the factors that help mold and mildew to grow. Besides moisture, lack of sunlight, poor ventilation, and dirt and debris can cause mold and mildew to grow. Because of this, mold and mildew tend to develop in the home:
- Under carpeting
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Washing The Mold Off Of Your Clothes Is Crucial
When you finish, he says to take off your work clothes, place them in a plastic bag and transport them to the washing machine. Add ¾ cup white vinegar to your wash water to kill the mold on your clothes.
Keep in mind, you need to ensure that youre addressing the problem and not just a symptom of the problem. When you come across mold in a home, it should be understood that you have a moisture issue first and a mold issue second, says Evan Roberts, a real estate agent with Dependable Homebuyers in Baltimore, MD. He tells us that scrubbing surface mold with mold killer will not be effective if you do not address the moisture issue.
Early Signs Of Black Mold In Your Home
Identifying mold growth typically happens after a water breach. This may be a leak, a flood, or even simply a condensation that is allowed to remain.
As water is a necessary ingredient for mold growth, discovering this type of breach is an indication that you may also find mold thriving in your home.
Some of the signs of black mold in your house may be a musty smell, dark-colored tile grout, and warped drywall.
In many cases, homeowners are able to easily identify the obvious places where mold has spread. The issue comes in the more hidden spaces that require professional assistance to identify and properly dry, disinfect, and restore.
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How Can You Test The Air In Your House For Mold
Youd know if you had mold right?
Dont be so sure. Some mold can be so undetectable that it is not even visible. It can travel unseen through the air in the form of spores and spread effortlessly through any home or building. This spread can lead to troubling health issues like:
- Nausea
- Headaches
- Respiratory illness
Spore test kits are one of the ways that technology has helped simplify remediation. Once you know where to check and have your test kit ready, you can get to the bottom of whether or not you may be dealing with an infestation. However, youll also need to know where to look or mold and how to remove it.
In this guide, well share how you can test the air in your house for mold.
How To Identify Mold In Your House
The presence of mold in a house is sometimes hard to discover, but the mold is easily identifiable in some cases. Even if the mold that grows in your house is small, youll notice the area becoming dirty, but that isnt enough indication that you have a mold problem. Sometimes the mold grows in hidden areas that you wont spot with your naked eye.
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Can You Always See Mold
Whats that dirty spot? Mold isnt always visible, but when it is people sometimes mistake it for dirt, soot or some other type of stain. The problem with a small spot of mold is it can be just the tip of the iceberg. There could be more mold lurking behind walls or in other spots you havent found yet.
Toxic Mold Test Do They Help
Professional inspection and testing can tell you definitively if you have this fungus in your home. The tests can reveal if the fungus is toxic and what type it is for sure. They can also identify where the fungus took root and from what areas in your home it has spread.
The tests can confirm signs that you may have suspected and give you positive results in a matter of minutes. They can also confirm that you need to take immediate action like hiring a professional remediation service to eliminate it and prevent future fungal growth.
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Warping Or Paint Peeling
Warping or paint peeling doesnt mean you have mold but its another sign of moisture. If the moisture doesnt dry up, mold will surely grow.
If you see warping or paint peeling you may have to remove a section of a wall to see whats happening within.
Once you find the cause, fix it and repaint or replace the warping.
How To Identify Black Mold On Other Surfaces
Black mold has a distinct look that should signal to you its presence on other surfaces in your home. It may look dark green or gray, depending on where it is growing. It also may simply look like black, fuzzy spots growing in dark and wet corners of the floor, ceiling, walls and other areas.
If other surfaces in your home have been exposed to moisture, humidity or water and have this type of growth on them, you should suspect that the spores are actually black fungus. The spots may even be difficult to sweep or scrub and only be removed and killed if you spray bleach or ammonia on them.
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How To Prevent Mold And Mildew
- Keep things clean.
- Increase ventilation in the affected area with exhaust fans.
- Install dehumidifiers to reduce humidity.
- Ensure that sources of natural ventilation such as windows remain open, if possible.
- Make sure that sources of mechanical venting such as HVAC vents remain open and unblocked.
- Inspect vents for clothes dryers and ensure that vents are clean and that they are attached.
Symptoms Of Black Mold Exposure
There are several symptoms that people can suffer after being exposed to a mold infestation. They vary in degree as conditions of the exposure change.
For many people, exposure to black mold can result in cold or asthma-like symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, and headaches.
In other cases where the exposure is more severe or the individual is more sensitive, illnesses can be long-term and more devastating.
These symptoms can include psychiatric issues, brain damage, joint pain, and loss of mobility in some people.
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