In the past month, we have been seeing a rash of customers trying to address mold found in their homes. Mold, like any disaster, can be dangerous if not addressed properly so what are the steps you should do and what should you never do when addressing mold of any sort in your home?

Mold can grow in areas of your home even if the leak has been fixed. This is because mold spores can live in the air for a long time and can start to grow as soon as there is moisture present. Here are some signs that you may have mold:

·         Musty odor. Mold has a distinctive musty odor that can be difficult to describe. If you notice a musty smell in your home, it's a good sign that there may be mold present.

·         Water stains. If you see water stains on the ceiling, walls, or floors, it's a sign that there has been water damage. Water damage can create a breeding ground for mold. This is a tricky point because if you did not properly mitigate the water damage through a restoration professional like ServiceMaster of Gwinnett or ServiceMaster 5 Points Athens, the mold is growing in trapped pockets of moisture like inside wall cavities, under floors and in the cavity between the ceiling of one level and the subfloor of the room above it.

·         Discolored or damaged materials. Mold can discolor or damage materials, such as drywall, wood, and carpet. If you see any discolored or damaged materials in your home, it's a sign that there may be mold present.

·         Black or green spots. Mold can appear as black or green spots on surfaces. If you see any black or green spots in your home, it's a good sign that there may be mold present.

These are steps you should do when you find mold growth in your home:

·         Find the source of the moisture. Mold needs moisture to grow, so it's important to find the source of the moisture and fix it as soon as possible. This could be a leaky pipe, a roof leak, or condensation. If you can’t find and repair the source, use a leak detector or plumber to address this problem. As long as you have a source leaking water into your home somewhere, you will not be able to properly get rid of the mold growth.

·         Remove the mold. Once you find and fix the source of the moisture, you can have a mold remediation performed by a professional mold remediation company like ServiceMaster of Gwinnett or ServiceMaster 5 Points Athens to remove the mold from your home. It is important to be careful about disturbing mold spores because once they become airborne, they can easily relocate and start a new growth somewhere else including in the lungs of anyone breathing air that has mold spores floating in it.

·         Ventilate the area. Once you have removed the mold, ventilate the area to make sure the areas are dry before performing any repairs. By making sure any cavities or building materials are fully dried before repairing any damage, you are avoiding any new growth in areas of trapped moisture.

·         Check for regrowth. Be sure to check the area for regrowth of mold in the next few weeks. If you see any signs of regrowth, you may need to call a professional mold remediation company.

Once you have addressed the mold, you can help prevent mold growth in the future by doing these steps to protect your home:

·         Keep your home dry. This means fixing any leaks, ventilating your home properly, and dehumidifying the air if necessary. This is something you should be checking regularly instead of just when your nose tells you something is wrong.

·         Clean regularly. This will help to remove mold spores from your home before they have a chance to grow. Be sure you are paying attention to high humidity areas such as bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms and entryways into the home including basements, garages, and doorways.

·         Ventilate your home after using appliances that produce moisture. This includes things like washing machines, dishwashers, and showers. If you do not have exhaust fans in these rooms that most commonly have higher levels of moisture, consider fans and/or dehumidifiers to help dry out those areas when in use. Minimizing the time a surface can stay wet will also minimize the time that mold has to grow on it.

·         Inspect your home regularly for signs of mold. This includes looking for water stains, discolored or damaged materials, and musty odors.

These are step you should never take when dealing with potential mold growth:

·         Don't ignore mold. Mold can cause health problems, so it's important to take steps to remove it as soon as possible.

·         Don't try to remove mold with harsh chemicals. Harsh chemicals can release toxic fumes that can be harmful to your health and may not even kill the mold.

·         Don't sweep or vacuum mold. This will only spread the mold spores around. Anything that disturbs the mold spores can make them airborne. This is the point where mold can be really dangerous for anyone living there since you can breathe it into your lungs. Airborne spores can cause respiratory conditions even in healthy people and aggravate conditions in people who already have respiratory problems like emphysema or asthma.

·         Don't dry wet items in your home. This can create a breeding ground for mold. If you have wet items such as clothing, dry them in the dryer or on a line outside. If you have wet items from a water loss, consider drying them outside or having them professionally stored where they can be properly cleaned and dried before being returned to your home.

·         Don't store damp items in your home. This can also create a breeding ground for mold. Damp items most commonly stored in the home are towels, shoes and umbrellas. You see mold growth on shower curtains because they stay damp from regular use, especially in the folds if you don’t fully close the curtain to dry. Towels, clothes, shoes and umbrellas can see the same effect if they are wadded or folded up instead of be dried properly or at least opened up or laid flat to be sure air flow can get into all damp areas.

·         If you find mold, take steps to remove it immediately. Do not try to remove mold yourself if it is extensive or if you have health concerns. Call a professional mold remediation company like ServiceMaster of Gwinnett or ServiceMaster 5 Points Athens.

By following these dos and don'ts, you can help to prevent mold from growing in your home and protect your health.

For a professional mold remediation, call ServiceMaster of Gwinnett or ServiceMaster 5 Points Athens.