If your house or other property has recently been water damaged (you have recently gotten things that you possess wet, whether it be walls, or carpets or chairs), by any means, whether adverse weather or a water pipe bursting, then there is a strong possibility that mold will be growing on the affected areas. This is what the term water damage mold means.
Once an area has been water damaged, mold can strike absolutely anywhere that has been wet. This is because once wet, items very rarely dry out totally. Even heating an area can be a problem, because if the wet patch is not dried out totally, a moist, warm zone is created which is absolutely perfect for mold growth.
Most People Know What Mold Is
Most people are familiar with mold. If you have ever seen the green blotchy/furry specs on bread that has been out for too long, or the brown furry specs that can occur on cheese or other foods, then you have encountered mold.
You may have had a time when you went camping, or just got very wet and put your sleeping bag or jumper in the closet, or in a corner and forgot about it. Within about a week to two weeks there would have been a musty, damp smell (caused by the mold spores already in the air) and soon after that, the bag/sweater would have most probably been chucked out after you realized that there was no way to save it.
Molds occur naturally in nature – they are a way of decomposing things. Without mold, there would be rubbish everywhere that you looked. Decomposition is just another way of saying recycling, and in itself, is nothing to worry about. When something is wet however (just like that emergency flood that might have happened in your house), mold is able to grow a lot more easily because the conditions will be beneficial to it.
Is Water Damage Mold Dangerous?
Most molds are not harmful – they are not pleasant, but will not do lasting damage to a person. There are some molds however which can be dangerous. These molds develop poisons which are known as Mycotoxins. Introduction to these toxins can cause all sorts of unpleasant side effects such as eye irritation, skin flare ups and trouble with breathing. Ultimately, the inhalation of spores could lead to paralysis and even death.
Mold Symptoms And Dangers
It is important to note here that this certainly is not the case with all water damage mold, but it may still be a possibility.
Prevention Is Key
One way of combating water damage mold is by trying to make sure that if possible, water damage does not occur in the first place. Have your boiler and pipes serviced at regular intervals – especially before cold weather (pipes can burst because of the pressure differential). Make sure that all windows and doors are closed during adverse weather (rain on curtains can easily turn into mold), make sure that the areas of the house where clothes washing is done are well ventilated (so as not to provide a warm, damp environment for mold to take hold). Make sure that damp spots are spotted and sorted out in a timely fashion.
Hiring Professionals
If all else fails, or if the water mold damage is just too much, then it is time to think about getting the professionals in. Some cleaning companies handle mold, and water damage as part of their package, other companies specialize in what is called mold remediation. If you have buildings insurance, your insurer should be able to make the decision for you.
Getting Rid Of Mold Yourself
A typical process for getting rid of the mold will be thoroughly cleaning the area with very hot water (making sure that the waste water is kept in a secure tank and taken away) and then applying cleaning solutions/detergents. After this has been done, dehumidifiers and/or fans and blowers will be left in the area to make sure that it is completely dry. Because professionals are operating the machinery, the correct amount of heat and air will be used to make sure that perfect results are achieved.
Hopefully now you have more of an idea of what water damage mold is, and what it can do. If you have any problems in he future, make sure you follow the tips in this article or call in the professionals!
Hello, i am John and have over ten years experience in water damage clean up, water damage restoration and water damage mold. During my career i noticed that a lot of homeowners are uninformed about water damage and it's consequences. This site provides you with how-to guides and lots of information on water damage and everything what's involved.