5 Actions to Take When You Find Mold at Home

8/6/2018 (Permalink)

Mold Free Home

Characterized by a dark green, grey, or black color, fuzzy and velvety texture, and a musty smell, mold is a common problem for many households. It’s the byproduct of excess moisture, so it’s caused by a flood or a plumbing accident. Whatever the exact reason may be, the only way to properly deal with it is through mold remediation. This complex process involves tasks, like water extraction, spore containment, and air filtration. However, before mold remediation can happen, here’s what you need to do when you first detect mold in your home.

5 Tasks to Do When You First Spot Mold

1. Check for Symptoms

Prolonged mold exposure can cause health problems like eye irritation, headaches, sneezing, sore throats, and in some severe cases, a skin rash. As you may expect, it can also exacerbate respiratory conditions. If you’ve seen mold and are experiencing any of these symptoms, focus on your health and call a doctor.

2. Assess the Problem

If your health isn’t affected, you can move onto figuring out how far the mold has spread. The size will determine if you need an emergency service. Generally, if the problem is larger than 10 square feet, it’s best to call the professionals ASAP. If it’s smaller, call for an appointment to get the spores tested; they’ll let you know whether it’s safe to clean things up on your own.

3. Schedule a Professional Visit

As mentioned, you’ll still need to call in the professionals, regardless of the size. No matter how small it looks, you need to be careful. Improper handling can cause the spores to spread, which only exacerbates the problem.

4. Search for the Cause

While you wait for the mold remediation specialists, try to determine the cause of the problem as best you can. Was there a flood recently? Do you have a dehumidifier that malfunctioned? Is there a problem with your plumbing? Knowing the cause will help them identify how far the mold might extend.

5. Contact Your Insurance Company

Don’t forget to check with your insurance company. Depending on the circumstances, your policy may cover the cost of the mold remediation process. For example, if a pipe burst and it led to water damage and subsequent mold, that may be covered.

For those in the area seeking trusted, experienced mold remediation specialists, call SERVPRO of Greater St. Augustine / St. Augustine Beach today at (904) 429-4457. Their technicians deal with everything from the initial inspection all the way through to the cleaning and restoration process. For major scenarios, they’re available for 24-hour emergency cleaning services, so don’t hesitate to get in touch. Need help with fire damage repairs instead? They can do that too! To learn more about everything this local business offers, visit their website.