Mold Removal-How
to Prevent Indoor Mold Build-Up
Mold is a micro-organism
from the fungi clan and grows on dead animals, wood, soil and decaying plants.
Inside the house mold likes to grow on papers, clothes, leather couches, wood
cupboards, mattresses, carpet and food. Mold spores are difficult to see with a
naked eye unless there have already build-up on the surfaces.
When mold has fully grown on
the surface it will appear green, white, black or dark depending on the type of
mold it is, the colony age, substrate and nutrient source. Mold fungi survive on anything moist. In addition to moisture it needs oxygen, a
substance and a temperature between 49 and 100 degrees to grow. Hence to stop it
from growing it must be deprived of warmth, moisture and food. It is not
possible to eliminate mold completely; but, it can be prevented from growing. Some mold can make use of the moisture from
the air, especially when the relative humidity is over 60%.
Here is what you can do to
prevent indoor mold build-up:
Deal With Water Leaks and
Spillages Quickly
Clean up minor spillages
quickly and ensure that the water has dried up. In cases of burst pipes and flooding in the
house, contact a water
damage professional. Also, have all
your leaking pipes fixed by a qualified plumber to eradicate moisture from the
house. If the project is water damage restoration
that is needed, make sure that all surfaces are completely dry and adequate for
proper cleaning.
To discourage mold growth, remove
all upholstery or carpets that were soaked in water. In some cases mold grows on hidden places
like under carpets, ceiling tiles, back of a dry wall and wallpapers. It can also hide behind utility tunnels, pipe
chases, drain pans and drip pans. Investigating hidden mold can be difficult,
particularly if you don’t have any knowledge about mold inspection. This is
where you need to contact a mold remediation company.
Reduce Humidity in the House
Appliances
like clothes dryers, kerosene heaters, stoves and dish washers produce
moisture. Showers and hot baths also release vapor that increases humidity. Ensure
that windows are open and exhaust fans are running when using the dishwasher
and stoves. De-humidifiers and air
conditioners are effective on venting out vapors and ensuring low humidity
within the house.
Conduct Mold
Assessment
Assessment
is not necessary if the mold can be easily detected on the surfaces.
Nonetheless, you may need to sample the area that has been remediated or
cleaned after major spillages or water damage.
The sampling job should be completed by a professional mold
removal company with adequate experience in formulating sampling methods,
analysis and protocols specific to mold damage.
