What to Do When You Find Mold?
Many homeowners panic when they discover mold in their homes. The sight of black mold can leave anyone worried about the problems caused by mold in their home and to their health. Mold can be very dangerous and troublesome in a residential or commercial area if left untreated for an extended amount of time. When you find mold in a part of your house, there are a few things you can do to protect your health and your home.
Mold removal and mold remediation are available and provided by most water damage companies. When you find it growing on your property, call a professional to avoid contaminating the rest of your home.
Steps: When You Discover Mold
If you discover mold in your home, don’t panic. Most likely the mold has been there for a while and may have other areas mold has been growing you can’t see.
- Call a water damage professional as they also specialize in mold and schedule an inspection. If there are no active leaks or water, it’s not necessary for an emergency call since the mold can be contained.
- Close off the area – If the affected area is located in the bathroom, open the windows in the room and close the door. Try to keep the area as contained as possible.
- For small areas – Use plastic wrap and cover the area by taping the edges of the plastic wrap to seal to the zone.
- Use Air Purifiers – Once you closed off the infected room, an air purifier will help filter any harmful toxins in the air until help arrives.
How Long Does Mold Take to Grow?
Maybe the reason why mold is very disastrous is that it takes only 24-48 hours to grow and multiply on a surface. Mold growth is supported by damp and warm conditions in an area. Mold can spread very fast because they produce microscopic spores that are very light and easily carried from one area to another by air.
Where Can Mold Grow
Areas that will attract mold growth in your home are those that have a lot of moisture. Some of the areas where you can find mold in your house include:
- Areas with roof leaks
- Areas with window leaks
- Areas with pipe leaks
- Behind dishwashers
- Wooden items
- Under sinks
- Carpets
- Wallpapers
- Fabric
- Insulation
Keeping Your Family Safe
Mold growth in homes causes a lot of risks to you and your family. You should always try and get rid of mold as soon as you notice it growing since it can spread very fast. Investigating the source of the moisture and fixing the issue will prevent mold from growing again and keep you and your family safe.