Prevent Mold From Taking Hold In the Home

Molds will grow just about anywhere and will grow on virtually any organic substance, as long as moisture and oxygen are present. Species of molds grow on wood, paper, foods, carpet and insulation. When there has been excessive moisture allowed to accumulate in buildings or on building materials, mold growth will often occur, particularly if the moisture problem remains undiscovered or unaddressed. It is impossible to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment. However, mold growth can be controlled indoors by controlling moisture indoors.

Active mold digests the organic materials upon which it grows and can also create permanent stains. It can be hazardous to people with respiratory problems and can cause allergic reactions or irritate the skin.

After flood damage occurs in your home, it is critical to begin the process of taking water restoration steps to prevent any further damage that might be caused by mold growth.

Steps To Take To Prevent Mold From Growing

Begin the process of drying out the room as quickly as possible. Given the ideal conditions, mold will spread and can grow quickly.

Mold prefers high humidity and temperature so lower both the humidity and the temperature. This can be done by opening the windows if the outside humidity is lower than inside. Alternatively turn on the air conditioning and set up dehumidifiers and empty them often.

Remove any objects that are moldy sealing the moldy trash in plastic bags first. Objects you can save should be dried or frozen as soon as possible. Freezing will inactivate mold.

Mold can remain on shelves and in cupboards where valuables were kept so clean these surfaces with a disinfectant such as Lysol. After cleaning, increase the air circulation in the room. Use fans only after moldy objects are removed and all display and storage areas are clean.

These are basic early water damage restoration steps that should be taken as a start to repairing water damage in the home. These early actions can save a lot more ongoing damage down the track. When removing mold from the home you should also consider you own safety and wear appropriate personal protective equipment.