If your home has experienced water damage from a flood or leaky pipe, there’s a good chance you’ll have to deal with other issues. Mold will be the next problem on your hands unless you take action quickly. Fortunately, you can ward off house mold damage by following some simple steps.
Ready to tackle this problem? Read on to learn how to prevent mold after water damage!
Understand the Danger of House Mold
Why is it important to know how to deal with water damage? If you let water damage linger unattended, you’ll put your family at risk of exposure to mold. Not only does mold look and smell bad, but it also can contribute to respiratory issues that may be long-lasting.
Mold can cause health issues like sneezing, itchy eyes, coughing, or worse. And if anyone in your family is an allergy sufferer, there’s a better chance that your child or spouse may experience more intense reactions. Save yourself from the discomfort and put dealing with the mold at the top of your to-do list.
How to Prevent Mold After Water Damage
Preventing mold after water damage means making a quick and aggressive response. The longer water sits in an area, the greater the opportunity for it to cause problems.
Even if you’re busy with other responsibilities, you don’t want to neglect fixing the water-damaged areas. Otherwise, you leave a breeding ground for mold. Set aside enough time to tackle this problem right away.
You may need to reach for a wet-dry vacuum if you have a larger situation on your hands. You want to ensure that the area is completely dry. While you can address smaller areas on your own, you may need a professional from water removal Denver to come in if your entire basement has flooded.
Dry Out Areas Thoroughly
Once you’ve dealt with the water mess, turning on an army of fans might sound like the next best step. In reality, if you turn on too many fans at full speed, you’ll actually be spreading mold spores throughout the home. And that means you could end up with mold in other areas of your home.
Rather than turning on your HVAC unit at high intensity and every box or oscillating fan you own, limit your use of them. You’re better off not directing a lot of air at an area with mold contamination. Keep some fans in neighboring rooms so there is air movement.
A better solution is to mop up the area and open doors to encourage air circulation. Check the affected area a few times each day to see if it’s drying out. Continue wiping or mopping the area during each check. If it’s not improving, ask the experts to take a look.
Remove Furniture and Objects from the Area
Do you have a lot of upholstered furniture? And is that furniture near or in the affected area?
When you’re dealing with mold from water damage, you want to remove all furniture and objects in the damage zone. Anything that is valuable needs to be relocated. This is particularly true if the problem area is covered in carpeting because it may take longer to dry.
Furniture with wooden legs should be moved or at least elevated and placed on plastic. You don’t want the lingering dampness to make contact with wooden legs on your heirloom armchair. And any object that is near the area with water damage is at risk of attracting mold spores.
Clean the Area to Reduce the Risk of House Mold
Can you see visible mold from water damage? If so, do your best to clean it right away — before the mold spreads. There are many safe cleaning options that you can purchase at your nearest grocery or hardware store.
Wear gloves when you complete the cleaning. Reach for a bleach solution that you make yourself or purchase from the store, and spray it onto the affected surface. Then let it sit for 15 minutes and begin scrubbing to remove the mold. Open windows to keep yourself safer.
Reducing the chances of having another mold problem means controlling the humidity levels in your home. Make sure that you have and use fans in your bathrooms and kitchen. And look into getting humidity sensors or a dehumidifier to remove excess moisture from the air during the summer months.
Look for the Cause
If you have an old roof, leaky pipes, or bigger plumbing issues, you’ll want to make addressing these issues a priority. Don’t stall, because you could find yourself in the same scenario again the next time a rainstorm comes through the area.
An aging roof could be letting excess water seep into your home or a clogged gutter could be directing water toward your foundation. Or the problem may be a burst pipe or crack in your foundation. If the cause of water damage is not obvious, don’t let the problem sit and fester.
When in doubt, contact the professionals to help with water damage restoration. They’ll have the safety equipment, knowledge, and experience to take care of the situation, get your home whole again, and help you prevent future problems.
Act on House Mold Cleanup Right Away
If you’re still wondering how to prevent mold after water damage, make sure you have a plan in place. Take action to clean up the mess and remove moisture as soon as you see it. Then address any plumbing issues or leaks so you don’t have to deal with the problem again!
To find more tips to improve your home or health, check back for new and informative articles.
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