Why You Should Get Rid of Mold in Your Nashville Home Immediately

10/16/2017 (Permalink)

Potential Hazards and Remedies for Mold in your Nashville Area Home                   

Understanding that mold can negativally impact a family can help encourage homeowners in Nashville to take action sooner. However, homeowners are often unaware that they have a mold problem, or if they are, they may be unsure of how to handle it properly. Mold can grow in just about any area where moisture is present for an extended period. However, because mold can spread quickly and with few signs, it is critical to address it as soon as possible.

Where to Look for Mold in Your Home

Mold can grow both within and on the outside of your Nashville house. In all situations, it requires attention. Mold can infest your home by means of microscopic spores traveling through open windows and doors and in through heating and cooling ventilation systems. Spores can also attach to clothing and pets. Once they infiltrate the home, they can proliferate quickly in the presence of moisture and a food source. Bathrooms, laundry rooms, kitchens, and basements are areas where moisture accumulation is common and tend to be hot spots for mold development.  Other common causes are:

    Leaking pipes
    Wet basements due to foundation concerns and insufficient  ventilation
    Leaking roofs
    Poorly sealed windows

Mold tends to grow on porous surfaces including drywall, wood, ceiling tiles and cardboard.  It can be hidden, such as behind your wood paneling, under carpeting, and behind drywall. When water leaks are spotted, no matter where they are in a house, it is important to remedy them as quickly as possible, as the water can lead to structural damage in the home, and the moisture can promote mold growth alongside it. In short, it is not always possible to readily discover mold activity.

Methods of Reducing Mold in Homes

Mold proliferates and spreads rapidly. As a result of this, a prompt response for mold remediation in the home is essential. Homeowners can do this in a number of ways.

Reduce the Presence of Moisture

At the forefront is controlling moisture in the home. Reduce water vapor levels in a home by keeping the air conditioner on when the humidity in the air is high. Try to maintain a relative humidity level of below 60%, preferably between 30-50 percent. Fix all leaks in roofs and windows. Vent showers, laundry rooms, and cooking areas to allow for proper drying. If flooding occurs, properly clean and dry out surfaces.

Kill Mold that is Present

There are some methods of removing small amounts of mold from a home, but it is advisable to turn to a professional company like SERVPRO of South Nashville to handle mold removal. The Environmental Protection Agency offers some guidance on the steps that need to be taken to attempt to rid a structure of mold making it safe again. Contact SERVPRO, who has many years of experience cleaning, removing mold, and disinfecting the treated areas.

Noticing Its Presence

A musty odor is often the first indication that mold is present for most people. Areas of discoloration on surfaces may also be an indication of mold. Mold can range in color and growth patterns. If mold seems to be present, it is crucial NOT to vent the area within the affected areas internally since it may spread mold and spores to uncontaminated rooms. For odor relief only vent the ambient air to the exterior. Please contact a professional for proper remediation solutions, and to ensure that the area is properly remediated.

Following this advice can help minimize the impact on the family living in the home. It also helps to keep the structure of the home safe from the damaging impact mold causes. For assistance contact SERVPRO of South Nashville 24/7 at (615) 331-0200 for mold remediation.