Mold growth after water damage can become a major problem, but acting quickly can make all the difference. Heavy downpours, weeks of persistent rain, or sudden floods can turn your home into a breeding ground for mold if moisture is not thoroughly removed.
The consequences include long-lasting structural damage that may cost thousands of dollars in renovations. Health risks are also a serious concern, with mold exposure linked to skin rashes, allergies, and respiratory problems such as asthma. These risks are even higher in homes with children or elderly residents.
To prevent mold, start with early detection, discard water-damaged items like carpets and wood, and ensure salvageable materials are dried or professionally cleaned.
After this, let the professionals step in. And the sooner you act, the better.
How do Professional Services Help with Mold Prevention?
Here is how professionals can help you with mold prevention.
Inspection:
You see, mold can start developing in less than 48 hours in stagnant water or damp places. In areas like Texas, where the hot and humid climate facilitates the growth of mold, time is a crucial factor.
There might be areas in your house that you cannot access, such as behind the drywall, inside the walls, under the wall-to-wall carpet or carpet padding, or near the insulation systems.
Other tricky areas would be in the siding panels or in the door trim. Even if you could access them, you might not be able to dry them out with your DIY methods.
Drying:
Once the professionals have detected the key areas, they will start the drying process. And your entire stack of kitchen towels won’t be enough to soak it all up! This is where professional tools and appliances come in handy.
Professionals often work with industrial-grade vacuums, along with heavy-duty blowers and dryers, to get every bit of residual moisture out of your property. If you have wooden floors with electrical heating systems, this step is crucial not just for mold prevention, but also to prevent short circuits in your property.
They may also use large fans for air circulation if your property does not have adequate cross-ventilation. You may then use a dehumidifier to adjust the humidity in your rooms, or ask the professionals to rent you one.
Clean-Up:
If you think that the chances of mold growth reduce to zero as soon as everything feels dry to the touch, then think again.
Mold does not just grow in damp and dark spaces- anything murky and already infested with bacteria can also give rise to mold in no time at all.
In case you have had a case of overflowing sewage, broken plumbing, or clogged drains in the aftermath of a storm, some part of that dirt and sewage would likely have crept into some areas of the house.
Professional cleaning takes care of all these issues- including the removal of any musty odor, which is almost always another concern in such situations. Professionals have special equipment to drain the thick, murky black water out of your house, leaving your drains clean and dry.
Noticing mold spots or a musty smell in your home? Don’t wait—call Hands and Hammers today for a quick inspection if you are situated in Dallas, Fort Worth, or Lewisville, Texas. Protect your home before mold takes over!
