How Do You Prevent Mold From Water Damage?

Water Damage Restoration Dana Point — Mold is a small fungus that multiplies through tiny spores. They can appear as fuzzy or slimy patches of white, pink, green, brown, or orange. The infamous toxic black variety blooms in moist, wet places. Mold also gives off a distinctive musty and damp odor.

In nature, mold helps break down organic material and completes the cycle of decomposition. However, you do not want this decomposition to enter your home. You tend to find mold in dark areas. Common breeding grounds include, under the sink, the basement, behind drywall, doorways, and corners.

Don’t forget to look up too. Mold can be growing on your ceiling, too, as warm air rises. Your bathroom is a prime spot for it to grow, so always keep your fan on or open a window when taking hot showers. Check your attic too, this room is often poorly insulated and a great place for mildew to get started.

Luckily, there are steps you can take as a homeowner to prevent mold growth after a flood or leak. In this article, we’ll take you through the 6 most effective ways to prevent mold from spreading after a water or moisture issue in your home and how to create the ideal climatic conditions to prevent mold growth in the future.

Steps to Prevent Mold After Water Damage
1. Remove or Drain the Water – After a flood or leak, the first thing you should do is remove the excess moisture so you can assess the damage and begin to dry out the wet or moisture-damaged surfaces and objects.

2. Remove Damp Carpet or Flooring – If your flooring or carpeting has sustained water damage, it goes without saying that removing the damaged surfaces should be one of the first steps if you want to prevent mold from spreading. This is especially true for floors with grooves such as stone-tiled floors, where moisture can easily become trapped.

3. Use Towels to Dry Wet Floors and Furniture – Before considering major changes to damaged surfaces and objects, it’s usually a good idea to first dry the areas with towels and rags. You can remove a great deal of moisture by simply laying down towels to absorb the majority of the water from your floors and furniture.

4. Use a Dehumidifier to Minimize Moisture – Mold thrives in warm, wet environments, while spores require moisture to reproduce. That’s why maintaining low relative humidity to prevent mold growth in your home is one of the most proven strategies.

5. Disinfect Walls, Baseboards, Floors, and Other Surfaces – Whenever water damage has occurred, the first step is drying the affected area and assessing the damage. A secondary, but equally necessary step involves disinfecting the impacted surfaces to eliminate bacteria and prevent further damage.

6. Replace Damaged Items – While it is possible in some cases to repair water-damaged items, there are many instances when it’s advisable to replace them entirely, particularly if the structure of the surface or item has been altered.

If you want to prevent this matter our professionals at 770 Water Damage & Restoration are certified and experienced in removing all types and sizes of mold growth and water damage.

Does water damage mean mold Dana Point
What are the causes of Water Pollution Dana Point