Uh-oh! Does your home have mold? Whether your home is brand-new or a slice of history, it is susceptible to mold growth. This is because mold is usually the result of water damage. It most commonly develops after severe rainstorms, floods, and burst pipes. If you have mold, don’t delay. Call a mold damage mitigation company for help.
Below, we take a look at what mold damage mitigation is and how it can keep your home in great shape.
What Is Mold Damage Mitigation?
Mold damage mitigation is the process of identifying, treating, and removing mold. Believe it or not, there are thousands of species of mold. Though not all of them will be in your house, it’s likely that more than a few will. Some of the most common species of household mold include Chaetomium and Stachybotrys. However, you might recognize Stachybotrys by its other name black mold.
Like other species of mold, black mold may trigger serious allergy symptoms for you and your family. Common symptoms include headaches, skin rashes, and coughing. However, they can extend to include insomnia, gastrointestinal issues, and onset anxiety. It’s for these reasons that mold damage mitigation is so important in maintaining a healthy home.
After scheduling your mold mitigation appointment, your tech will conduct an inspection. During this inspection, they will look for the cause of the mold. As mentioned earlier, mold is commonly the direct result of water damage. As such, your tech will be on the lookout for signs of water damage, too.
This step is vital to the mold damage mitigation process because the underlying issue needs to be addressed first. Otherwise, even if the mold is treated, it’ll come back if the cause isn’t fixed.
Once the problem is fixed, then the real meat and potatoes of mold damage mitigation can begin. This starts with identifying the species of mold. Doing so allows your team to use the right cleaners. Remember, traditional household cleaners aren’t enough to kill mold. Instead, they only treat it at the source. Once the mold is cleaned, they will then disinfect the area. This is done to help prevent the spread and reduce allergies.
Are There Strategies You Can Use to Prevent Mold?
The option for mold damage mitigation is always here when you need it. However, you probably want to try to avoid mold altogether. Are there any strategies you can use to avoid mold? The answer is yes.
While these may not be 100% effective depending on the circumstance, they can certainly lower your home’s risk of developing mold. Here are some proactive steps you can take to prevent mold damage:
Clean Your Gutters
The gutters are designed to move water away from your home. If they’re clogged with leaves, twigs, and debris, that process can’t happen. This means that water will pour over the sides of your gutter and into your home’s foundation. Water can also get into your basement and crawl space, quickly developing mold.
Mold needs humidity and moisture to survive, making these two spots prime mold hot spots. So if you want to try to combat mold, start by clearing out your gutters.
Make Your Home Waterproof
Oregon gets a lot of rain, so one way you can combat mold is by making it difficult for rain to get inside your home. This can be done by making sure there’s caulk around your doors and windows. It can also be done by adding weatherstrips around cracks that might let water in easily.
Apply Vinegar to Small Amounts of Mold
If you spot a tiny bit of mold before it’s spread, then attempt to clean it. You can do so with vinegar, as this is a natural mold killer. If it keeps coming back, though, keep in mind you will have to call a professional.
As we mentioned, sometimes water and mold damage is unavoidable. But with these tips, you can try to combat it as best you can.
Contact PNW Restoration for All Your Mold Damage Mitigation Needs in Portland, OR!
If your home has mold, the last thing you should do is wait. The longer it sits there, the more easily it’ll spread to other areas. As soon as you discover it, give the team at PNW Restoration a call.
Our PNW Restoration team has years of experience in mold damage mitigation. We can recognize and treat the most common species of mold found in Portland homes. Contact us today to get a mold damage mitigation appointment on the schedule. We can be reached at (971) 247-3381.
We welcome you to check out our reviews. The quality mold damage mitigation you need is here at PNW Restoration. We’re proud to offer services to the residents of Portland, Gresham, Aloha, and Canby.