Water damage is a problem, causing potential structural issues and damaging your personal property. However, water damage is also a breeding ground for mold, forming in as little as 24-48 hours.
Unfortunately, mold after water damage can severely damage your property and cause health issues. It’s essential to check for mold spores after water damage and take steps to mitigate them immediately.
In this practical guide, we’ll reveal professional tips for identifying mold and preventing the situation from worsening.
Let’s dive in and look at the steps you should take to check for mold after water damage.
Checking For Visible Mold
The first step is to check for visible signs of mold. It’s often easy to spot, as mold can appear in numerous colors, including white, green, and black spots. The most common areas mold can form is on floors, ceilings, and walls – especially under windows.
You should check each area for water damage, including bathrooms, kitchens, and basements. Carpets will also show signs of mold damage – especially if they weren’t dried correctly after moisture exposure.
Identify Mold Odors
Mold has a distinct smell that is best described as musty. In some cases, you might notice the odor but fail to see any visible mold. Don’t worry; it’s hiding somewhere, and your job is to find where.
Common places that might be hiding mold spores include:
- Under or inside cupboards.
- Behind wallboards and drywall.
- Beneath carpets and behind tiles.
- Under sinks.
- Behind the refrigerator.
- Inside ventilation ducts.
Remember, spores colonize, and mold can multiply, which is why it’s essential to check any places they might be hiding.
Check For Warping
Your walls are great for identifying mold, as the paint and wallpaper often react to exposure. For example, you might notice the paint on your walls is warped, or the wallpaper is peeling.
Dark spots on the walls also point to mold spores that might be lurking, and knowing where they are means the remediation will be easier.
Assessing Any Health Concerns
According to the CDC, mold can cause various health concerns, including respiratory problems and allergic reactions.
If inhabitants of the property suddenly develop symptoms such as itching, runny nose and eyes, sore throats, congestion, or coughing, it could be a sign of mold.
People with asthma or other allergies might have more severe reactions, which can also help you identify whether your property has a lot of mold.
Using A Mold Testing Kit
DIY mold testing kits can be beneficial if you want to determine whether mold spores are present in your home. Most come with equipment to collect your samples, including tapes and petri dishes.
Once you collect them, you can send them to a lab and await the results. While DIY testing kits are beneficial, you’ll still have to handle the mold yourself and ensure your samples are high quality.
For these reasons, most people prefer to arrange a professional mold inspection to help identify hidden mold.
Bringing In A Professional Mold Inspection Team
Water damage is complex, and many people call in a professional water damage restoration service to help them identify mold and mitigate the damage. Certified technicians have access to specialist equipment to test for mold spores.
A professional mold inspection involves:
- Looking for signs of visible mold.
- Locating less visible mold spores.
- Testing the air quality.
- Taking samples to identify the types of spores and ensure the environment receives proper treatment.
How Remediation Services Test Indoor Air Quality For Mold
With a range of specialist tools available, professionals can test moisture levels, take air samples, and analyze them for mold spores.
Once the air samples are collected, a professional will assess the report to identify the extent of your mold problem and the types of mold in your property.
Identifying The Types of Mold
There are numerous mold types around, but a form of black mold (also known as Stachybotrys chartarum) can cause allergic symptoms and wheezing. As this form of mold requires moisture to thrive, it’s common in floods or severe leaks.
While non-toxic molds might not seem like an issue, they can still cause allergic reactions. Removing them from your property immediately is crucial.
Some people also believe letting their property dry and turning active mold into dead mold means it won’t retain its allergenic properties. Unfortunately, this isn’t true, as dead mold can still release spores.
Removing Mold And Sanitizing Affected Areas
Using a professional restoration company means you have peace of mind that your home will return to its pre-damage condition. iFlooded Restoration offers services throughout New York, quickly attending to leaks, floods, and roofing problems.
We use specialist equipment to identify mold types and remove them from your property successfully. The process can be intensive, but a successful remediation means you won’t have to worry about mold causing harm to any inhabitants.
Remediating The Mold
We employ various mold removal techniques based on the extent of your problem. We leave no stone unturned when banishing mold using industrial vacuums and air-filtration devices.
You get a full-service solution, including drying and sanitizing the property. From turning your property into a mold-free environment to drying it out and sanitizing all affected areas, we offer a full-service solution.
Performing Final Checks
Once we remove the mold and dry out your property, we’ll perform a further air quality test to check whether all spores are gone. In most cases, they are, but severe flooding and leaks might mean we need to clean the areas again.
Do You Have A Mold Problem? Get Support Today
If you’re in the New York area and are dealing with water damage, please feel free to get a free consultation from iFlooded Restoration today. We work quickly and proactively to address water damage and eliminate mold from your home.
With a 24/7 emergency line, our team can attend your property immediately. You’ll also receive a free estimate for any work we need to do.
Mold can wreak havoc on your health and property, but addressing it quickly means you can return to everyday life.
