Mold In A Home Or Business?

6/4/2018 (Permalink)

While mold can happen anywhere, it seems most attracted to residential buildings. Finding black mold in your home can be a nightmare of mold cleanup and remediation, but you can prevent it by understanding the common causes that lead to infestations.

It’s All About the Water

Mold growth can almost always be traced back to one source: a moisture problem. Black mold thrives on organic matter, but it requires moisture to truly grow out of control and proliferate. Common sources of moisture that lead to mold outbreaks include the following:

• Broken and leaking pipes

• Roof and window leaks

• Standing water left behind by bathtub, shower, and toilet splashing or overflow

• Water trapped beneath linoleum and tile

• Standing water left behind by floods

• Excess humidity and condensation in the air

How Can I Fix Mold in My Home?

Avoid a mold infestation in the first place by keeping your home dry and free of leaks or other moisture sources. 

• Check the integrity of your roofing and window seals and have them repaired as needed. 

• If you’ve recently suffered flooding, quickly dispose of any sodden materials and dry out any remaining water, even if you may have to pull up carpeting and floorboards. 

• Have a plumber in to check your pipes and keep them in good health. 

• Check your appliances, particularly refrigerators and air conditioners, to ensure they aren’t leaking or having problems with condensation. 

• If you live in a high-humidity environment, invest in a dehumidifier and run it as necessary to bring down the moisture levels in the air inside your home.

If you’ve already seen outbreaks of black mold, you may need to retain the services of a mold remediation specialist. These technicians can help you identify sources of mold that aren’t readily apparent on initial inspection and recommend appropriate cleanup and prevention actions.