Preventing Mold
HOW TO PREVENT MOLD
Preventing Mold
In most cases preventing mold can easily be managed by good maintenance personnel, a good homeowner, a responsible tenant or a similar diligent individual.
The most common mold often occurs in bathrooms and is related to a simple and easy to control elevated humidity level. Occupants of a premise where mold has occurred in the bathroom need to make routinely conscious decisions to make sure that the bathroom is well ventilated especially immediately after taking showers and especially hot steamy showers. For individuals that are not fortunate enough to have a window in their bathroom, they need to make sure that they use their ventilation fan, and landlords or property owners need to play their role and make sure that a structure has adequate ventilation within especially the bathrooms.
Events such as the ground level flooding unfortunately can’t always be prevented, however a meticulous and immediate cleanup directly after a flooding event can completely prevent mold from becoming an issue. This immediate cleanup should include pumping out of all the standing water, disposal of wet flooring; especially carpeting. Saturated wood should also be considered for removal. Two additional measures that need to be taken must include the use of heavy duty commercial dryers similar to what would be used by a flood and fire restoration company.
These are usually available for rent at a commercial tool supply and rental store and the second additional measure would be from the same source, to rent a commercial grade dehumidifier. Other than that, wet sheet rock or wood in walls and panels should be removed from the water line down to the floor. Although this seems like a lot, the costs involved are nowhere near the costs that a full-blown mold remediation job could require through a professional and reputable company.
All in all, preventing mold can save you a whole lot of time and money over having to conduct a full-scale mold cleanup. Some common sense tips were provided that the average person may not even have realized could make a great difference.
Remember the most important thing is prevention and if it is too late for that then cleanup and clean up real fast, along with getting the humidity to a desirable level of under 50% which is also undesirable to our friend black mold.
If you suspect you have a mold problem you need to get your home tested and you will need to conduct proper mold testing and mold inspection procedures prior to obtaining any accurate price quote from a remediation company if in fact mold is confirmed. You should keep in mind that we only provide testing and inspection services to gather the necessary data for consumers, business owners and landlords to make an informed decision as well as to provide remediation companies with the facts of the air-quality with regard to mold spores in the subject premises. Mold Inspection911 can help, so give us a call today!
Board Certified Inspector
Dennis Kanakis, CMI
InterNACHI Certified Professional Inspector – CPINACHI03121106
Florida State License #HI12335