Tracking Down a Moldy Situation | SERVPRO of East Central Cincinnati

2/21/2024 (Permalink)

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Mold—one little word with a big impact. No one wants it in their home or business, but it happens all the time! 

One minute you are working on clearing out a section of your basement and the next you are hit with an overwhelming smell that is unmistakably mold. 

Since mold tends to flourish in places that aren’t often checked on a regular basis, you could very well come upon a mold infestation that has been growing for months. Knowing what mold looks like, where it grows and what to do if you discover an infestation can help you take action quickly to prevent a serious situation. 

The Basics on Mold 

Mold spores are constantly floating through the air and can be found both inside and outside your home. They are microscopic and can easily get into your home through open windows or doors or through your vent system. While that in and of itself isn’t an issue, the trouble starts when it settles into an area in your home and starts to grow into a colony.

Mold can be any color of the rainbow, and it can be many different textures. Some mold is white and chalky while other kinds are black and slimy. In any case, mold loves to grow in areas that are dark and continually damp. This makes places like your attic, basement and crawl space ideal locations for a mold colony. 

Can Mold Be Prevented? 

Since mold is everywhere, you cannot say with 100% certainty that your home is mold-free. However, you can take steps to reduce your risk of a mold infestation from taking hold by controlling the amount of moisture in your home and air. Open windows in high-humidity areas, and keep your fans running to promote air circulation. 

If moisture starts to collect in these common locations, a mold infestation can take hold in as little as 24 hours. You should also address any humidity issues in your home. All homes are a little humid, but you should aim to keep your levels between 30 and 50% humidity for ideal conditions. 

What to Do About Mold Growth

If you are going about your day and smell a musty or earthy smell that you can’t quite place, it’s time to do some investigating. Mold often produces this earthy smell, and following your nose can help you track it down. 

Once you locate the colony, be careful not to disturb it. Some mold types can be dangerous to inhale and should only be handled by trained professionals. 

That’s us! Give us a call so we can come out and identify the mold and contain the area. We will work on filtering the air to clean up the spores floating around and then we will get to work cleaning and sanitizing the entire affected surface. 

If the mold has been growing for some time and has damaged the structural components of your home, we can handle those repairs at this time as well. Mold can be stubborn, but not when our mold remediation team is up to the task! 

Do you suspect a mold problem at your home? Contact SERVPRO of East Central Cincinnati today.