In light of the recent and historic flooding several homeowners are battling with water damage, mold and more to get their home back to where it was before the storm. As members of this great community, it’s important to us that we do anything and everything we can to help people get back on their feet. Part of that includes sharing what knowledge we have that can help homeowners in these trying times, so we came up with this blog that will cover the issues of mold in your home.

In this blog, we will cover mold: its effects on your health, how it can get in your home, how you can eliminate it, and prevent it from returning. Mold is a serious issue that can have significant implications on your health in the short and long term. So check out these tips, and use them to help you fight mold in your home today!

Health Effects

Mold has a range of harmful health effects to those who breathe it. Everything from sneezing and wheezing to severe lung infection or disease are all possibilities to those who breathe it. These problems will affect your breathing and your life in both the short and long term. The worst part is that you could be breathing contaminated air in your home for a long time and not know it. The longer you breathe mold, the worse your symptoms will be, so it’s important to find it and eliminate it early.

So now the important question to ask is how do you find out if you have mold in your home?

Mold & How To Find It

Mold comes from stagnant air and still water combining in your home. Over time you’ll find that the water provides life to mold spots and helps them to grow. Naturally, if you see water on your floor, you’ll dry it up quickly. That said, the water in your home that goes unseen is not going to be picked up, and thus that is where mold will grow. So spots in your attic, basement, or leaks in your wall and foundation are the places you need to look for mold growth.

Pay attention to smells, colors, your breathing habits, weather and leaks in your home. These things are all important to finding mold before it becomes an issue. Unfortunately in Louisiana humidity levels are already high, and there are a lot of residents who have water damage, so the chances of mold are already high. For those who have water damage to your home mold is a major problem, but it is a problem you can solve.

How To Eliminate It

Removing mold all depends on what exactly you have in your home. If you’ve suffered severe water damage from the recent flooding, you’re going to have to strap on a mask, rip up some carpet and do some major cleaning. Vacuum the dry particles, scrub off the tight spots with a 1-to-8 bleach/water solution to get the job done. Minimize air flow while you’re cleaning so spores cannot travel through your home as you’re cleaning. Also, be sure to check your ducts in case any spores have already traveled up there and made a home.

Once you’ve cleaned up the mold in your home, you must be diligent for the future. That means investing in products and maintaining your air quality.

How To Prevent It

Investing in indoor air products, specifically, a dehumidifier will do wonders in the battle to stop future issues with mold. These machines maintain a healthy level of moisture inside your home, preventing an unhealthy amount from building up and allowing mold to grow. Furthermore, place fans inside your attics, closets, and other areas where air remains stagnant. A fan can keep air circulating which prevents mold from growing.

For those with significant mold issues, invest in a UV lamp that will kill all bacteria you place the light over. Also be diligent and keep up with your home chores. There’s nothing like a weekend to clean your home by mopping, dusting, and vacuuming.

Let Lee’s Help Fight Mold In Your Home Today

Mold can be a major problem following water damage, so it is our hope that this blog helps you combat the problem in the short and long term. Unfortunately, there is no quick fix for mold, to get rid of mold you must work hard to eliminate the problem for good. Thankfully there are plenty of professionals available to help you and rid your home of harmful air toxins today.

If you have any more questions or would like us to check your ductwork for mold, give us a call today, and we’ll get started right away.