You’ve probably heard of someone you know getting mold in their home, and having to pursue mold remediation services. Or, you might even have read about the dangers of “black mold” in the news. Every so often, a homeowner experiences a severe “black mold” issue that damages their family’s health, and the story makes for a sensational and somewhat frightening warning for the rest of us.
So, you might be wondering how mold even gets into homes, and what you can do about it. The first thing to understand is that mold is almost everywhere, all the time. Mold reproduces by releasing microscopic spores into the air. These spores float along, looking for the right spot to set up camp and begin to grow their own colony. They can get into your home through doors and windows, via your air conditioning system, or even by hitching a ride on you or your pet.
The “right spot” is the issue here. Mold spores are present all the time, but they need a nice humid place to grow. Essentially, preventing mold growth in your home comes down to controlling the environment. Don’t allow moisture to collect within your home, and you probably won’t ever experience a problem that requires mold remediation.
You can prevent mold growth by looking for sources of moisture and eliminating them:
- Address roof leaks right away
- Keep your gutters clear (so water doesn’t back up and enter your home)
- Fix leaking pipes
- Maintain your plumbing and septic system so that backups don’t occur
- Clean up quickly and remove all water when accidents or leaks do occur
In some cases, slow leaks can be happening inside walls or within the foundation of your home for a significant period of time before they are discovered. Periodically checking for hidden leaks can be a good idea. Simply turn off all faucets and appliances that use water, and check to see if your water meter has changed over the course of an hour or two.
If you do experience water damage within your home, prompt mold remediation can prevent mold growth and the associated health problems. Give us a call immediately, and we can get the area dried out, test for the presence of mold, and correct the problem when necessary.
