Mold Prevention

It can be tricky when it comes to mold. Mold is a fungi and no one really knows how many species of fungi exist. Estimates average that there are about three-hundred thousand or more of different fungi. Mold can exist outdoor or indoor. Indoor mold can be prevented and it is crucial to stay on top of mold prevention for the health of your family and to protect your home. Some common indoor molds are: Cladosporium, Penicillium, Alternaria?and Aspergillus. Mold exposure can cause health symptoms such as nasal stuffiness, eye irritation, wheezing or skin irritation.

Not only can mold be a health hazard, it can also cause major damage to your home. Mildew is mold in its early stage. Mold can grow on: wood products, ceiling tiles, cardboard, wallpaper, carpets, drywall, fabric, insulation and other organic materials. Mold starts to grow when these materials get damp or wet. No one wants to have water damage in their home. However, water damage is a reality. Some common causes of water damage are:

• Flooding
• Sewage back-up from flooding in the area
• Plumbing
• Roof leaks
• Damp basement or crawl space
• Overflows from sinks or bathtub
• High humidity: steam cooking, dryer vents, humidifiers, etc.

Mold will develop within 24-48 hours after water damage occurs. So, it is very important to stop it before it starts. If mold is allowed to start, it will continue to keep on growing.

Moisture Control

• Act quickly ? dry it right away!
• Roof gutters: clean and repair them often
• Foundation: make sure that no water can leak underneath
• Air conditioning: clean drip pans and make sure drain lines are flowing
• Get a humidity meter: indoor humidity should be below 60%
• Condensation: can build up on your windows, walls, pipes, etc.
• Use an air conditioner or a dehumidifier during humid months
• Add mold inhibitors to paints before application

 

Cleaning up Mold

• Wear a breathing mask ? do not breath mold in!
• Wear gloves to protect your hands
• Wear goggles to protect your eyes
• Hard Non-Porous services: clean mold off with antimicrobial and water
• Absorbent materials: drywall, carpet, ceiling tiles, etc. must be removed and disposed of
• Paint: do not paint over mold ? paint will peal and make the problem worse
• NOTE: DO NOT CONTAMINATE CLEAN ZONES. USE PROPER BARRIERS AND CONTAINMENT / CALL AN ALERT PROFESSIONAL

Additional Tips

• Be sure the home has adequate ventilation
• Clean bathrooms with mold killing products
• Do not carpet bathrooms and basements

If you are worried that you might have a mold problem in your home, Alert Disaster Restoration offers both a visual inspection or a full inspection. A full inspection comes with a tape sampling (or air sampling) with a full laboratory analysis and full inpection report.