Your living space says a lot about your health and wellness. As the saying goes, cleanliness is next to godliness. No matter the size of your property, you want to do well to ensure that you keep it clean always. When it comes to the issue of mold, one thing is for sure, your health is at risk if you don’t attack the problem immediately. For residences with elderly, kids and pets, the risks are high as it is certain there will be issues of illness and other problems when you leave the matter unresolved.
The steps below should guide you properly on how you can find out ways to deal with water damage problems, and know when to check in with a professional Tampa mold removal service.
What Causes Mold?
The simple answer is water. But to be more specific, mildew and mold are usually caused due to dampness that builds up on your building structure. And there are many reasons why your walls, floors, and ceiling may be damp. Water damage, flooding, pipe leakage, rising or penetrating damp, seepage, or spillage could just be the reason for the black patches that appear on your indoor and outdoor surfaces. You will also notice these back patches around areas of the house that doesn’t get enough sunlight.
So these are the critical areas in your building that need regular inspection. The foundation, plumbing installations, drainage pipes, roofing structures, and the likes should be checked at intervals all year round. You want to get a professional property inspection service to come to check for potential damage to your structure.
When you check and go to LightningWaterDamage.com, it contains contacts to professionals in Tampa who have been in the business for more than a decade helping property owners to solve the issue of mold and water damage to their property. You can also check for similar services in your area if you need help with dealing with moisture damage to your home.
Potential Health Risks of Black Mold
While there are no direct claims that suggest that black mold can cause life-threatening issues such as lung disease or cancer. But you must understand that it does release mycotoxins produced by a fungus which can be toxic to the health. Mold abound everywhere in the air, and you likely come in contact with it everywhere you go. That said, you can do well to avoid it in your living environment as you stand more risks of the health issues it poses if you have to breathe it in regularly.
While there aren’t any serious risks associated with mycotoxin exposures, there are issues of allergic reactions and mild ailments that may arise such as
- Mood swings
- Headaches
- Itchiness
- Red eyes
- Running nose
- Dry cough
- Sore throat
- Sinusitis
- Difficulty breathing
While these are mild ailments that are common with other forms of environmental contamination, in situations when the above symptoms reoccur, you want to look into the state of your living condition. It could be a lot worse for older adults, kids, people with a weak immune system and pets to have to cope in an environment that has been infested by mold, so you want to make sure to investigate thoroughly to get to the root of the problem.
Mold Prevention and Ways to Get Rid of it
Prevention is better than cure holds a lot of wisdom when it relates to your health and wellbeing. And while you can’t always be sure of when there will be a health hazard, doing your bit to try and avoid them should be the first attempt at safety. So when it comes to prevention, below are some tips to help ensure that your living space is free from mold
- Try and avoid leaving damp areas unattended. This will ultimately encourage damage to your structure which could lead to mold or worse require extensive repairs.
- Regularly inspect the building for water damage and in the case, there is flood damage, you want to be quick to get a positive solution that will reduce the chances of further damage to your property.
- Leakages in your plumbing and drainage systems should be resolved quickly.
- You must try to improve the air quality in the home. The use of dehumidifiers or air conditioners can help with ensuring that the indoor space is humid enough to encourage the free flow of clean air and prevent the chances of fungal growth.
- Use mold cleaning products for your kitchen, bathroom, and other moisture-prone areas to ensure there is no fungus left behind that may result in mildew or mold growth.
- Wet clothing, carpets, and rugs should be dried properly outside before bringing them back into the house. You should also avoid using carpets in bathrooms especially those that are not water-resistant.
Removing Mold from Surfaces
When it comes to eliminating mold that has already entered your living space, your best bet is to attack it directly. To begin, you want to dress appropriately by covering yourself and using a face mask to avoid inhaling the fungus while at it. You will also need the right cleaning agent to help you get the right result. The right products include bleach, distilled white vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, and baking soda.
- For tiles and wall surfaces, use a wall scratcher to peel the coating on the surface and use a solution of one gallon of water and a cup of bleach to wipe clean tile surfaces.
- For home appliances use distilled white vinegar and water to thoroughly clean the surface of the appliance. You can rinse out with hot water to ensure that there is no sign of the fungus left.
- For carpets and floors, use a solution of bleach and water mixed with a safe detergent for woods and scrub deep to ensure that you get rid of dirt and any bacteria or the likes hiding deep in the surface.
- In the case of clothing and furniture, you want to make use of good lather soap, vinegar, and water to do the washing. Make sure to wash thoroughly and after rinse with water and air dry outside before bringing back inside. This page has more on eliminating mold from surfaces.
Getting Professional Mold Removal Services
There are many professional services in Tampa and other areas that are in the business of providing mold removal and flood damage services and you only need to research the best ones available to work with. Ensure you check the website to be sure they have what it takes to provide exceptional services. You can look at the reviews from past clients to be sure that they are experts in the field. Another way is to ask for recommendations from friends and family members to help point you in the direction of a professional that can provide the services you need.
Final Note
You can’t escape from mold as it is everywhere around you. But you can be critical about it turning up in your living space. Dealing with moisture and leakages is one way to prevent the occurrence and it is also best that you carry out the regular property inspection and repairs to help ensure that your property is safe and in the best living condition.