How Do I Know if I Have Mold in My Home?

Mold can be found in several places in the home environment. It appears most often in moist or wet areas. A musty odor may also be present. Mold begins to grow indoors when mold spores land on surfaces that are wet or damp. Mold will not grow without water or moisture. Therefore, it is important to dry out wet or moist areas within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth. Some examples of places where mold can be found inside the home include: Basements, kitchens (bottom of fridge), around bathroom vanities, washer/dryer area. The underside of carpets and pads. The surface of walls behind furniture (where condensation forms). Ceilings and the top side of ceiling tiles.

How Do I Prevent Mold From Growing in My Home?

The following may prevent or reduce indoor mold growth: Repair all water leaks & moisture problem areas. Provide good air circulation. All HVAC systems should have a good electrostatic filter on the return. Insulate and ventilate attic & crawl space areas. Clean, Dry, or remove items that are damaged by water immediately.

What Are the Health Effects of Mold Exposure?

Having mold in your home won’t necessarily make you sick, but it does have the potential to cause certain health issues. Touching or inhaling mold spores can cause allergy-like symptoms such as: runny nose and congestion eye irritation sneezing coughing sore throat skin rash headache lung irritation wheezing Mold exposure is not an emergency for most people. However, you should let your doctor know if you have a health condition that puts you at greater risk of complications and you believe you’re experiencing symptoms of a mold-related infection.

Can I Remove Mold Myself or Do I Need a Professional?

One of the first signs that you have a mold infestation is the musty odor. Mold has a distinct look and small. It also appears as fuzzy, blue, yellow, black, or purple discolorations on surfaces. It affects the corners of the bathroom, stains the walls, and also grows in between tiles. Mold can also rot wood causing structural problems. But can you remove mold on your own? The answer is yes, but only if it is not widespread. If the total area affected by mold is less than 10 square feet, then you can probably remove it yourself with over-the-counter detergents. But if the mold is more widespread, then we strongly recommend that you hire a reputable mold removal and remediation contractor like Mold Fix. Here are the reasons you need to hire an expert: Mold itself is hazardous to one's health. Prolonged exposure to it can cause respiratory problems. This is one reason you want to leave this type of work to a professional who is properly equipped and trained. Sometimes, mold grows in hard-to-reach areas such as the attic, roof, gutters, and behind appliances. If you're untrained and poorly equipped, you may not be able to eradicate mold from these places. As an amateur, you may actually reintroduce even more mold into your home in an attempt to clean it. Mold occurrence most likely means a water leak or water damage somewhere. Proper mold removal and remediation means dealing with the root cause of the problem, which includes fixing the water leaks. Mold remediation (ensuring mold does not recur in the future) is something only a competent and licensed professional can do. You may damage the air ducts in the process of mold removal. To schedule an appointment for licensed and professional mold removal and remediation in Orange County, CA, call 949-449-5949.

Is Mold Removal Permanent?

Every homeowner dreads finding mold around their house and noticing that mold has managed to infiltrate a small or significant part of your home can be worrying. Mold is usually caused by poor ventilation or an undetected leak somewhere in your home and does more than just ruin your paintwork. If left untreated, mold can cause significant damage to your home and health and must be taken care of accordingly. However, for new homeowners or individuals who want to know more: will mold come back after remediation? Yes, it is possible for mold to return after remediation. However, this will only occur if you fail to find the source of moisture that is responsible for the mold problem in the first place. As a result, whether the source is a leaking window or a condensation problem, it is essential that you take the precautions to fix it and be mindful that you need to keep on top of the problem. This is because mold thrives in high-moisture environments. As a result, even if you’ve sought help from a remediation team and have ensured that your home has had all of the mold removed, the mold may begin to grow again if the source of the moisture problem has not been rectified. For instance, if you have a window that hasn’t been sealed properly or the sealant has started to deteriorate, then mildew and mold could begin to grow. Temperature changes cause window seals to expand and contract, breaking them down over time. In this situation, it is natural for condensation to appear on the windows, and it can be made worse by bad weather conditions and poor ventilation. Although condensation might not seem like a big issue in the beginning, over time, mildew and mold can appear around the window due to the moisture as a result of this condensation. Black spots begin to form, and you’re left with a musty smell that’s noticeable every time you walk into the room. In this circumstance, it is likely that you might want to hire a mold remediation team to fix the issue. Yet even after removing all traces of mold, the mold could still return unless you solve the main condensation issue, the window seals. To ensure you keep your home in the best condition, it’s essential that you conduct mold remediation and also locate and fix the underlying moisture problem. If you don’t take the proper precautions, mold will simply regrow, even if the remediation team did their best to eradicate the mold the first time around.

Technician adjusting industrial dehumidifier during water damage services in Orange County

Emergency Water Damage Services in Laguna Niguel

When water damage strikes, time is of the essence. We provide professional water damage services in Laguna Niguel to mitigate the effects and prevent further harm. Our mold fix company is equipped to handle any challenge, ensuring a quick return to normalcy with minimal disruption.

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Water Damage Cleanup

Signs of Water Damage

Peeling, or flaking paint

Water rings or strains

Mold growth

Rotting Items

Humid, foul oders

Swollen Drywalls

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7 Steps to Water Damage Cleanup

Inspection & Assessment

Upon arrival, our technicians will immediately begin an inspection to assess the extent and severity of the water damage. This may include locating the source of the water if it is hidden.

Water Extraction

Once we understand where the water is coming from and the degree of the damage, we will begin removing the water from the property with specialized equipment.

Industrial-Grade Drying

Post extraction, our main prerogative is to dry the property through the use of professional equipment, including industrial dehumidifiers and fans. This step can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to complete.

Cleaning & Sanitization

After the space is dry, we clean the affected areas. This includes the removal of water stains and debris. Our technicians will also use microbial treatments to prevent mold and bacteria growth.

Deodorization

If foul smells linger after our extensive cleaning, we will use industrial-grade air purifiers and odor-absorbing materials to deodorize the affected spaces.

Full Restoration

We will do everything in our power to restore your property to its pre-damage condition. This can include removing the equipment we used, moving furniture back into place, restoring electrical power, and more.

Mold Inspection & Prevention

Lastly, we will conduct a mold assessment. Mold and mildew thrive in moist, wet environments, but we’ll triple-check to ensure your property is infestation-free (and will remain that way).

Schedule Your Water Damage Services in Laguna Niguel

As soon as you identify mold in your home or business – or even if you suspect mold’s presence – act immediately. The best way to get ahead of structural damage and health risks is to clean or remove the contaminated materials quickly.

Get a free estimate for water damage services in Laguna Niguel and ensure peace of mind.

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