You had a water loss. A pipe burst; your HVAC unit leaked; maybe sudden heavy storms flooded your basement. Whatever caused the water damage is now requiring you to have a water damage restoration. Water damage and mold go hand in hand for many homeowners, so you need to be aware of this possibility in your home. Here's a breakdown of what you need to be aware of:
Mold can take hold very quickly after water damage, even if the visible water is gone. Slow leaks such as cracks in pipes, loose plumbing connections or cracks in the foundation cause the area to be wet most or all the time creating an ideal environment for mold. It is very common to find mold growth where there has been a slow leak and poor ventilation. Water damage from sudden losses can result in mold growth as well. This type of loss may not immediately grow mold, but when the affected area has not been dried out properly, trapped moisture is prevented from escaping. If proper water mitigation is not started promptly, mold growth can occur within 24 to 48 hours. Mold thrives in damp environments where the water cannot easily escape and there is little air circulation. Moisture can linger in walls, ceilings, and carpets long after a leak has been found and repaired. When disturbed, mold spores can become airborne and irritate those with allergies or asthma, causing respiratory problems and skin irritation.
Signs to watch for that may be indicators of mold growth are:
· High humidity levels which are visible by condensation on glass and metal surfaces
· Allergy or asthma symptoms flaring up whenever you are in that environment
· Dark spots on floors, walls and/or ceilings – Note that not all mold is black so look for dark spots not just black spots
· The best detector is your nose – If the environment smells musty, that is a good sign you have a mold issue
When you find water damage, you must act right away. The key to remediation is finding and fixing the source of the water damage to prevent moisture from returning causing mold to continue to thrive in your home. Once the source of the water damage has been found and repaired, you need to mitigate the water damage. A professional water damage mitigation is a process where a trained technician evaluates your home to determine where the water traveled and what was damaged. The technician extracts the remaining water and removes all affected (meaning still wet and not salvageable) materials to open the space around those internal wet materials so they can be dried completely and correctly. If you suspect mold is growing in your home, get a professional inspection and testing to identify the type and extent of the problem. A mold remediation is a specialized process to properly treat an affected area and remove the mold without causing the mold spores to become airborne creating a health risk or regrowth somewhere else in your environment.
Be aware that many homeowners’ insurance policies do not cover mold damage. Even policies that do have a mold coverage rider may have a cap that limits how much will be paid out for mold remediation. It is a good idea to know what your specific policy does or does not cover so you are prepared when you do find mold growth. This is also a good reason to act quickly when you find water damage. Acting quickly during a water loss can help prevent or at least limit how much mold needs to be removed from your home.
The best defense against mold is to control moisture. Address leaks promptly, ensure proper ventilation, and use dehumidifiers in damp areas. Regular inspections of areas prone to leaks will help you find and repair slow leaks before they can cause mold growth to occur. Be sure to check areas that have plumbing that you normally don’t see. Be sure to check rooms such as attics, basements, and crawlspaces as well as under cabinets that contain plumbing in kitchens and bathrooms, plus behind appliances such as laundry machines, dishwashers, and refrigerators. If you find any signs of water damage such as staining, odor or signs of moisture on the surface of the area being inspected, turn off the water to that location either through the appliance cutoff valve or even the water supply line to the home if necessary. Before you turn the water back on, you must find and repair the source of the leak. At that point you should make sure that the area is completely dry, including inside wall cavities and underneath cabinets. Anywhere that water can get trapped without ventilation can be the source of a potential future mold problem.
While many people believe that mold remediation can be a do-it-yourself project, there are reasons why it is worth the money to have a professional do it. Dead or alive, mold spores can cause allergic reactions, so they must be removed from the environment. Some areas will need to be contained within a negative air pressure environment to prevent mold spores from escaping to uncontaminated areas during remediation. Often mold-damaged sheetrock will need to be removed and disposed of properly. Many times, mold-contaminated wood surfaces must be sanded in the presence of a HEPA vacuum to remove the mold. Some areas can be encapsulated to prevent mold spores from escaping in the future. Specific treatments are applied to various materials to properly remediate the damage caused by the mold contamination. Our mold remediation procedure is tailored to address the problems in your specific environment, in order to return your property to its pre-loss condition. We understand that while we treat mold problems frequently, you may have NEVER done this before. The situation is stressful and the potential health risks can be scary, so you need to know what to expect during mold remediation. Our technicians will walk you through the process, so you know what they are doing to remove the mold and to protect you.
Remember, acting quickly is key when dealing with mold from water damage. It can save you money on repairs and prevent potential health problems for occupants.
