Are your walls discolored? Is there a musty smell present in the house? The signs of mold aren’t difficult to detect, as these are often impossible to ignore. Besides the presence of spores, homeowners will also notice some health symptoms similar to those of having an allergy.
The types and causes of mold are abundant. Moisture, however, is the key factor inducing the growth of this fungus. Residents of humid climates are most likely to deal with such a household enemy. In any case, homeowners should waste no time waiting to solve this problem.
There are various mold remediation companies in Fort Lauderdale, such as Union Restoration, offering mold removal, water damage, and leak detection services.
The following guide will prove useful when coping with such an issue.
Common types
Indoor mold comes in various types, which differ in appearance and in their location inside the house. For instance, Cladosporium is predominantly black, brown, and green in color. It requires both warmth and cool air to thrive, hence often found in cooling and heating ducts. This type of mold is also fond of sticking to different kinds of fabrics and wood.
Penicillium, on the other hand, is a rather common type. It’s easily recognized for its yellow, blue, and green color. Unlike Cladosporium, it isn’t found on the surface of carpets but underneath them. Also, penicilium is present everywhere water damage has affected properties, such as in insulation and basements.
Furthermore, aspergillus has a distinguished powdery appearance and dark spots on top of the white and gray spores. It’s found not only in fabrics but also in attics, basements, and walls. Apart from these common indoor types of mold, there are several others that generally thrive outdoors but can be also found inside homes, such as Aureobasidium, Trichoderma, Alternaria, and, Stachybotrys chartarum.
Common causes
Mold is capable of growing virtually everywhere in the house as long as it’s provided with enough moisture to thrive. Hence, residents of areas where humidity levels are high are likely to experience mold issues. It especially applies to people living near the ocean or sea, where moisture constantly lingers in the air.
In such cases, mold is most likely to grow on ceilings, in the kitchen, on walls, and in dark places like closets. The most effective way for homeowners to prevent moisture from affecting indoor air quality is by ventilating the house, particularly in the course of warm months. Visit this site to learn some helpful tips for cleaning mold and mildew in the house from high humidity.
Another frequent cause for the growth of this fungus is having leaking pipes in your home. As a result, mold is usually found in the cupboards under the sink and behind drywall. Upon noticing signs of mildew in these areas, the first thing to do inspect is the piping system for potential leaks.
Leaking pipes aren’t the only cause of mildew growth in households. Even though roof leaks are rather slow, the amount of moisture accumulated over time results in mold. When induced by a leaking roof, this fungus grows in the attic, affecting the walls, tiles, and ceiling boards.
Condensation is a frequent cause of mildew in households in the course of the winter period. Due to temperature fluctuations, condensation tends to accumulate on cold surfaces such as floors, tiles, and pipes. In case you are coping with condensation problems in winter, the best solution is to provide proper room ventilation.
In addition, many homeowners struggle with indoor mold because of improper ventilation. By not ventilating your home daily, you are providing this fungus with the perfect conditions for growth. Steam is also assisting its development, which is why you need to ventilate the house after cooking or having a bath.
Wet clothes may also be responsible for mold growth if not hung to dry on the clothesline after being taken out of the washing machine. Nevertheless, by letting the wet garments in the basket for an entire day, you are creating an ideal environment for mildew growth. The spring and summer periods are particularly bad for leaving clothes damp for longer than a few hours.
Moisture located in the foundation of homes is another reason for mildew development. The foundation is likely to become damp because of the presence of standing rainwater in the yard, which doesn’t drain properly. Rainwater has to drain away from the house in order not to affect the foundation and result in mold. The solution in such scenarios is either having the slope modified or digging out a drain for the water to flow away from the house.
In the event of foundation dampness, the basements of homes become damp as well. Since basements aren’t exposed to natural light, these places are a paradise for mildew development. Being both dark and damp makes them incredibly susceptible to such a problem.
Ultimately, mildew can be triggered by a leaking AC system or accumulated condensation. In order to prevent allergic reactions, make sure to regularly check your AC system ducts and filters for potential leaks.
Health symptoms
Besides the musty smell and stained walls, household residents detect the presence of mold through the development of certain health issues. After inhaling or getting in touch with such spores, the majority of individuals experience symptoms similar to those of an allergic reaction. These include congestion, runny nose, coughing, rashes, sore throat, wheezing, sneezing, irritated eyes, etc. Also, some people experience headaches and lung irritation.
Not all individuals are affected by the negative effects of this fungus in the same manner. Certain people are more susceptible to developing an infection such as those suffering from asthma, allergies, poor immune system, cystic fibrosis, COPD, etc.
Mold remediation procedure
The moment you notice signs of mildew in your home, take no action on your own apart from ventilating the house. Instead of purchasing chemicals and treating the problem by yourself, you are advised to hire Fort Lauderdale mold remediation specialists to restore your home to its previous state. After arriving on your property, these experts start looking for the source of moisture in order to find the exact cause of mold growth.
Bear in mind that treating the symptoms of this household problem won’t make the issue go away unless the root is located. The knowledge these professionals have helps them detect the source of dampness even in the absence of visible signs.
Once the source is detected, a member of the team is in charge of documenting the damage by taking multiple photographs and videos. Despite the photographic evidence, this worker also describes the damage in writing in order for the supervisor to gain a comprehensive insight into the situation.
After the supervisor analyses the situation, the following step is developing a plan, including the date of the procedure, the staff performing the service, as well as the potential relocation of the homeowners. Depending on the severity of the damage, some homeowners are required to temporarily relocate until the procedure is entirely completed.
Once the plan is developed, remediation specialists in Fort Lauderdale assess the contamination extent. They need to determine the exact amount of mold in order to perform the necessary removal and cleanup services. Afterward, remediation specialists take the required steps to handle the problem such as repairing the water problem in order to prevent new spores from appearing.
These experts move forward with their plan by isolating the contaminated area. They make sure all windows and doors in this area are closed to prevent contamination from reaching the other rooms in the house. Fort Lauderdale remediation specialists also eliminate all damp and mold-affected objects and place them in plastic bags to remove them safely.
It’s paramount for all surfaces to be free of dust and dirt, as it indicates an absence of mildew. In order for moisture to be eliminated in the fastest way possible, these professionals use special fans and dehumidifiers. The ultimate step of the procedure is making sure the remediation provided the desired results. This team of workers has a tendency to revisit the homes of clients after a while in order to check for recurring signs of water damage.
The benefits of hiring mold remediation experts are numerous. They range from living in a healthy environment to increasing the value of your home. It’s the only effective solution for preventing health issues and protecting your family from toxin exposure.
Additionally, homeowners interested in selling their homes are highly recommended to hire remediation services. In the course of a home inspection, inspectors will undoubtedly detect signs of mold, which affects the value of your home negatively. By investing in such services, you will be provided with better chances to sell your house for a higher price. Homeowners hiring mold remediation services also enjoy better air quality and lower the risk of structural damage.
The bottom line
Waste no time to hire remediation services. The more you wait, the worse the damage!
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