What Causes Mold Damage?

Molds can appear in any home, even those which are relatively dry. They can infest your bedroom, your bathroom, your kitchen and your clothes. If allowed to spread unchecked, they could cover every area of your property and cause all kinds of health problems.

So if you need to know more about molds and what they can do to your home then here’s what you should know.  

What is Mold? 

Mold is basically fungus, and they usually thrive in places where there’s plenty of moisture. But despite their bad reputation, they actually play an important role in nature.

Mold colonies break down dead leaves, plants and other organic materials. They are also generally harmless to a healthy human being. In fact, the average person is exposed to mold spores every day, so they’re not really that harmful. 

The problem is when they start to spread and grow at an accelerated rate. Not only can they damage certain sections of your home, they can also cause health problems, including:

• Runny Noses
• Red Eyes
• Skin Rashes
• Respiratory Problems
• Shortness of Breath 
• Allergic Reactions

So don’t be careless with mold infestations. They may not be much of a threat in small numbers, but they can cause a lot of problems once they start to spread, and they do spread fast. 

Where Do Molds Usually Grow?

Molds can grow in almost any part of your home. They can appear on your walls, your floor, your carpet, your furniture and even on your food. Any area where there is sufficient moisture and dust particles can host mold spores. 

However, they are more likely to grow in places with plenty of moisture. These include kitchens, laundry areas, basements, bathrooms, crawlspaces, attics and areas with very little heating. 

What Should You Do When You Find Mold Growing All Over Your Property? 

First of all, you will need to examine the size and scope of the infestation. If the mold colony is small or limited then you can clean it up yourself. There are also several methods for preventing the formation of minor mold colonies. Several good examples include:

• Using dehumidifiers and air conditioners to reduce moisture 
• Keeping indoor humidity to a minimum 
• Cleaning up dirty surfaces, particularly those which have a lot of moisture
• Provide insulation for cold surfaces, such as walls, floors and windows
• Keeping wet areas dry 
• Fixing leaks and seepages 
• Waterproofing areas which are prone to mold infestations
• Hire qualified professionals to identify mold spores in your home
• Increase air circulation around your home by opening your windows
• Use fans to increase air circulation in areas where there are no doors or windows to let in enough air

You can also use an old knife or spatula to scrape away mold colonies. Just remember to wear proper protection, and put of the mold into a plastic bag when you are finished. Don’t forget to wear a mask to keep yourself safe. 

Minor mold infestations can be contained but you will also need to keep the affected areas warm and dry for a long time. And just to be safe, you should also disinfect the affected rooms and areas to eliminate all the spores that may still be there. With any luck, the mold spores will die out in a few days. 

But What if the Mold Infestation is Too Severe? 

If the mold spores have spread all over your home then you will need to contact professionals to take care of the problem. Mold spores can spread rapidly, and if they spread to several rooms then you may not be able to remove those using simple DIY methods.

Fortunately, there are many companies and contractors that offer mold remediation services. The cost of such services usually runs between $500 to $3000, depending on the amount of mold involved and where they’re located.

If they’re located in an open area and have not yet spread to the rest of your home then mold remediation will only likely cost around $500 or less.

However, if the mold is located in a crawlspace, an attic or a basement, or if they have already spread to several parts of your, home then the cost of removing them can reach a few thousand dollars.

This is why mold infestations need to be dealt with as quickly as possible. The longer you wait to remove them, the more they spread throughout your home; and the more they spread, the more expensive it will be to remove them. 

How Do Professionals Remove Mold? 

Mold remediation services usually consist of a few simple steps: 

1. 1. First, the remediation team will repair or remove all sources of moisture in those areas where mold are found. 
2. 2. Next, they will isolate the affected areas by removing all the materials. 
3. 3. These items will then be placed in plastic bags, while the dust are disposed of. 
4. 4. The mold remediation team starts cleaning the mold off of the walls and surfaces. 
5. 5. They will disinfect the affected areas to make sure that there are no more mold spores left. 
6. 6. They will exit the areas, and then they will perform a visibility test to make sure that all the mold spores have been removed. 
7. 7. They may return in a week or two to inspect the previously affected areas and to make sure that there are no new mold colonies. 

That’s basically how mold remediation works. It sounds very simple in theory but the process can take a long time if the mold spores have spread to every part of your home. So you will need to hire a company that can get the job done. 

Whom Should You Call?

Waterdamagemiami.com offers top quality mold remediation services, and we have a lot of experience when it comes to removing mold colonies. We have cleaned up mold off of homes, apartments, offices, basements, attics, children’s rooms and many others. 

Not only do we provide all of the services mentioned above, we will also make sure that the rest of your home is free from mold spores. So if you need someone to remove all the mold off of your property, just give us a call and we will come over and take care of the problem.