People from all over move to Austin, Tx for its beautiful weather. The sunshine and warm air feel amazing for just about anybody; mold shares a similar opinion.
Our humid climate makes this a place where mold can thrive in its ideal conditions. A typical home won’t have any issues with mold, but it will grow quickly in this climate if certain conditions are met.
Unfortunately for us, mold poses serious health risks and can even damage our homes. Hopefully you never have any issues with mold, but these steps may be very helpful to you if you do.
Identify the Source
High humidity levels, plumbing problems, and small roof leaks are the most common things that pave the way for mold growth. The humidity in your home should stay between 30 and 50 percent.
It’s helpful to inspect spots that are more prone to water damage because small plumbing and roof leaks can be difficult to detect until they’ve done considerable damage.
Correct the Issue
A household dehumidifier is usually enough to help with elevated humidity levels. Plumbers and handymen can help with the rest if needed.
Call a local restoration company if you have questions about figuring out solutions for any of these.
Clean the Area
This part of the process involves removing contaminated materials, cleaning all surfaces, and removing mold spores from the air.
Air scrubbers with HEPA (High Efficiency Particle Air) filters need to be placed and turned on immediately. The air scrubbers will filter out the loose mold spores floating through the air.
Anything that can’t be completely disinfected should be secured in 6mm plastic trash bags and then removed and disposed of.
These unsalvageable materials are usually drywall, insulation, and other porous materials.
Now every surface needs to be cleaned with a cleaning solution that can eliminate mold and its spores. That includes the walls, floors, ceiling, and any contents you plan on keeping.
Get Everything Dry
Once this is done, you’ll need to make sure the area is thoroughly dry so the mold doesn’t return months down the road when the cleaning solution wears off.
You’ll typically need industrial fans and dehumidifiers and want to check the area again after 3-5 days with a moisture meter to be certain your home is fully dry.
Inspect Regularly
Monitor this area fairly often, and other areas prone to mold growth, even if you’re sure you remediated everything perfectly.
Things can change and new complications can pop up. Catching something early is the best preventative measure you can take.
