Molds are usually not visible to the naked eyes. It is important for homeowners to recognize how molds grow, reproduce and spread. This will help them better understand how they are formed, why are they growing in your home environment and how can it be eliminated
What does mold look like?
Mold thrives on moisture. Moisture can come from many sources, including water leaks that are hidden in walls or floors. Mold looks like spots on your walls or surfaces, but it is difficult to distinguish whether you have mold or just dirt. Some molds colonies are black and appear fuzzy while others appear as greenish stains.
Although some molds look like furry growths, they usually do not grow on food. Since molds are fungus like organisms that feed on organic matter, it often looks like black or green dots on your walls, ceiling or any part of your home. It is always advisable to get rid of molds growing in your home because they produce dangerous substances called mycotoxins that can cause serious health ailments.
Mold grows in moist areas where the humidity is high. Bathrooms and kitchens are common places for molds to grow because of their warm temperature and water splashes caused by showers, cooking or dish washing. Bathroom walls especially behind toilets tend to be wet most of the time. Since bathrooms do not get much ventilation, it makes it an ideal environment for molds to grow. Mold removal is very important in bathrooms and kitchens to prevent health problems and restore structural damages caused by moisture seepage
Other Places Where Molds Often Grow Include:
1) Behind wallpaper
2) Under carpets or floor tiles
3) Behind furniture
4) In window frames and around leaking water pipes
Look for mold behind your walls, near air conditioning vents and ceiling rafters. Mold often appears as a greenish or blackish growth with a musty smell. Even if you do not see any mold under the kitchen or bathroom sink, it means that they are growing somewhere in the vicinity. If you have a musty smell inside your home, there is a probability that molds are lurking somewhere but cannot be seen and if you had flood restoration sunshine coast from hurricanes or rainstorm, it’s possible that mold has been growing for weeks from this moisture.
Mold Prevention and Control
Mold spreads rapidly if the source of moisture is not eliminated. If you have just spotted molds in some parts of your house, the best way to prevent them from spreading is by stopping water leaks and increasing ventilation. Also keep humidity levels down inside your home so mold growth can be prevented.
We often underestimate common household insects like ants, cockroaches and silverfish, but these insects can be a nuisance. They may not cause structural damage to your property, but they carry bacteria that cause illness to you and your family. Contact an water extraction service sunshine coast if you have a problem with ants or cockroaches around your home because eliminating them will prevent the spread of molds
It is important to regularly clean your home, especially the kitchen and bathrooms. Remove excess moisture in your kitchen by wiping away spills on countertops, cabinets and floors. Clean up moldy areas with detergent or bleach solution and disinfect them thoroughly
Store all food tightly sealed in containers because molds can grow easily on foods like bread, cereals and even pet food.
If you have a mold problem at home, the first thing to do is remove all moisture sources. Next, repair damaged structures and replace wet household items like carpeting or drywall. Clean up molds completely inside your home and polish wooden surfaces with oil-based stains because water damage often leaves telltale signs such as discoloration and swellings. And if you do not know how to properly remove mold from your home, just call a professional flood damage restoration sunshine coast company like Dehumidifiers Sunshine Coast for mold removal services.
Mold can be one of the most unpleasant things that you will encounter in your home, unless of course you’re into ingesting fungus. Mold is no stranger to Florida either with Hurricane Irma’s massive damage potentially stirring up spores for moulds like Aspergillus fumigatus and Penicillium species. Let’s take a look at the top 5 leading causes of the growth of mold in your home.
1. Leaky Pipes and Appliances
Mold loves water and moisture which is why it’s attracted to places like bathrooms and kitchens where you shower, bathe and wash dishes. Having a leaky pipe may not be as obvious as a leaky roof but the effects are the same. Leaks can be spotted in your ceiling, around windows and doors, downstairs where water could sleep under the floorboards or virtually anywhere that water might find a way into your home. If you suspect that you have any kind of leak providing access to moisture for mold then it’s time to call a plumber.
2. Faulty Sump Pump
Your sump pump is what keeps your foundation dry by pumping out any excess water that comes into the basement area through cracks and gaps in the walls and floors. This is especially important after flooding as repairs can take some time before everything has been removed by power washers and dehumidifiers cleaning up behind those working on repair jobs. A faulty sump pump means water accumulates and sits which means the perfect opportunity for mold to grow.
3. Clogged Gutters and Downspouts
Having water overflow from your gutters is a serious problem as it sends water pouring down all over your home’s foundation, walls and windows. This can pose a threat during any kind of bad weather such as heavy rain or high winds. Clogged gutters also attract plenty of insects such as roaches, beetles and termites which then attracts ants, flies and other pests looking for food. Having your gutters unclogged by professional’s flood damage restoration sunshine coast could save you money in pest control costs later on down the line.
4. Water Heaters That Are Too Close to The Wall
You might be asking yourself why would anyone want to install water heaters next to walls. Water heaters are not known for being attractive appliances so it makes sense to have them out of sight, right? Wrong. Chances are you’ve got a gas water heater that needs ventilation for it produce hot water. Installing too close can potentially block your flue pipe which means carbon monoxide poisoning is just around the corner if an inspector happens to notice it when he or she is surveying your home.
5. Unfinished Basements
Last but not least, unfinished basements might pose the biggest risk as they provide more places where you can find mold growth such as under floorboards and down wall cavities were run off from gutters above may able to seep in.
If you’re experiencing any of these issues then it’s time to consider getting professional flood damage restoration sunshine coast services in your area.
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