Is Mold An Issue In My House

1/8/2019 (Permalink)

As seasons shift to colder temperatures, we may not worry so much about things like mold and mildew. Even as snow falls and covers the lingering leaves which start to deteriorate on the ground, we may not think twice about the mold that is clearly spreading over it and eating it away. After all, that's outside. Unfortunately, mold can easily invade the home in the winter just as much as it can in any other season. Below, we cover how mold does just that, what you should look out for, and what you can do when you see mold.

How Mold Forms

It's important to understand what mold is and how it spreads. Mold, is essentially a fungus. It spreads itself through spores that settle on surfaces and remain relatively dormant until the right temperature and amount of moisture enter their atmosphere. By that point, the fungus starts to eat and spread even further by deploying more spores. There are species of mold which can be activated in the temperatures typically associated with early winter. You can expect home damage as it spreads should this be something occurring indoors.

What To Look For

While mold comes in varying colors and species, the mold primarily seen in homes is black. It can spread quite quickly as it’s given moisture, which can turn into devastating damage rather quickly. This is why mold is quite common in places that have seen water damage and it’s important to be conscious of environmental changes and ensure effective cleanup. Because mold can eat away at the surface it is attached to, it's important to have it removed quickly by someone who is well-versed in mold restoration.

What You Should Do

When you first notice mold, you can attempt to safely clean it away with bleach or another harsh cleaner, if the amount is small. This helps you limit the amount of home damage caused by the mold and allows for potential containment.  Keep an eye on the area you cleaned, if you notice the mold returning, this means you could have a deep rooted below the surface. You should also keep an eye on the areas where water damage has occurred as these are the key areas mold will grow. If this looks like something you’re not totally confident handling, make sure you have it handled by someone who can.

Dealing with the reality of mold damage can be devastating, and we know firsthand how hard it can be to return to normal life while this is going on. At SERVPRO of East Meadow/Westbury our goal is to relieve your stress by handling the entire process of remediation from start to finish. If you’re interested in learning more, give us a call at 516-334-2927!