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The Most Effective Ways to Prevent Mold Growth After Water Damage

As bad weather can be, like tornadoes, rainfall, and hurricanes, water damage in your home is possible. It can damage your house’s structure and cause more significant issues, like mold growth, especially if it’s not addressed quickly.

Water damage is the most common method of home damage, and it can happen in all homes and buildings. Flood, rains, burst pipes, leaks, and other plumbing issues can spread through building materials, causing severe water damage. Widespread property damage is a big issue that can cause excessive water and mold, leading to more serious problems and putting your health at risk. Mold growth comes from water damage, but mold bacteria are already present inside the air.

Mold can cause wall discoloration, as it also poses a significant threat to your health and those exposed to it. Sensitive reactions like coughing, headaches, skin irritation, irritated eyes, and so on are the most common health issues someone can experience if exposed to mold for too long. Other severe health problems like respiratory poisons can occur – how to prevent mold growth after water damage?

How Does Mold Grow?

Mold is a part of the natural environment. It plays an essential role in breaking organic matter, like dead trees and leaves, but mold growth is dangerous inside. Mold is usually invisible to the naked eye – but it may begin to grow inside a home when surfaces are wet. There are many types of mold, but none of them would occur without moisture or water. As mentioned, mold has the potential to cause serious health problems. Usually, touching or inhaling mold can cause allergic reactions, including sneezing, runny nose, skin rush, eye irritation, etc.

Addressing the Water Damage Immediately

If water damage occurs in your home, it’s essential to call a water damage repair professional to manage the problem immediately. By doing so, you’ll prevent the effective growth of mold. Also, here are some extra steps to take to sustain water damage and reduce the risk of mold growth.

Stop the source of moisture – If the water comes from a leak, you should immediately turn off the fixture. It’s essential to know where the water shuts off so you can prevent more leaks caused by burst pipes. If your home has been inundated, you need to find the cause and fix the hole where water comes from. It can be challenging to do it, but it’s essential to do it until a plumber comes to deal with it. Water damage professionals can deal with any type of water damage in a home.

Removing the excess water – Moisture or water damage can result in mold growth quickly. Only 24 hours are needed to see mold growth in your home. Thus, it’s essential to remove the excess water immediately. Wipe away water from damaged surfaces using a mop. If there’s too much water, don’t consider using your regular vacuum cleaner. You’re at risk of electrocution. Instead, use a specially-designed vac for water removal. If the property is flooded, it will lead to structural damage. In some cases, it’s best to have a professional remove the water in your home and dry the area accordingly.

Remove mold – if there are small amounts of mold growth on the affected surfaces, it’s best to remove them carefully. You can use white vinegar and spray it on the mold. Let it on the surface for about an hour, then wipe away. Vinegar is very effective when it comes to removing tiny amounts of mold from a surface. The mold that spreads all over must be removed by a mold professional.

Preventing Mold Growth

If you’ve experienced water damage in your home, please fry out your home as quickly as possible. No more than 48 hours should pass after the water damage event to prevent mold growth. You can use mops and dry vacuums mentioned above or dehumidifiers. Also, open all windows to allow airflow and don’t forget that hiring a water damage professional is essential, as the water will be cleaned up faster and more effectively. It will take the burden off you, and you will ensure that there’s no mold left in your home.

As you dry out your home, beware of the moldy smells in your home. If it starts to smell musty and odd, it could signify that mold has already been set on surfaces. If the scent keeps getting worse, consider hiring a professional to do a mold check.

Once the water is removed and the area is clean and dry, you should consider repairing or replacing any damaged items to ensure no mold will grow. As you focus on restoring your home, you might also want to consider insulating the walls.

Also, check outside your property for standing water, mainly if it’s incredibly close to your home’s foundation. Water buildup is the perfect way and spot for mold growth, and it can seep into the ground and through your walls. Fix the water issues outside your home to prevent further mold problems.

Contact a Professional Mold Removal

If you need help preventing mold growth after water damage in your home, please contact mold damage professional. They’ll be quickly at your place and professionally solve your home’s water damage and mold problems. Mold removal is a challenging task, especially if it’s a lot of mold buildup in your home. With no proper and safe equipment, it can be difficult to remove mold, also exposing your health to risk. Mold professionals can use innovative methods to find all mold in your home and remove it efficiently.

The professionals can inspect the areas affected and ensure no mold growth. They will do mold checks and ensure that your home is safe and clean. All it takes is for you to contact a mold expert no longer than one day after the water damage in your home. If mold has occurred after water damage, it’s best to handle the work with professionals.