While a one-time water leak in your home may appear insignificant, the facts say otherwise. A small water leak can lead to severe damage in your home if it is not addressed quickly. The main culprit? Mold. When not handled adequately, a water leak can turn your home into a moldy paradise. If you want to protect your home and family from mold growth, here’s what you need to know about preventing it.
How Long Does It Take for Mold to Grow?
Mold develops quickly. A broken pipe can spew mold spores in just two days, and it can take a week or two for the rest of your home to dry out properly. If you have a leak, it is important to know how to keep the moisture at bay. Speed up the drying process with air circulation and have the right supplies on hand to clean the affected area.
Is Mold Dangerous?
While not all kinds of mold are inherently dangerous, it is always best to be cautious when deciding whether to allow mold to thrive in your home. Many varieties have dangerous effects on health. For instance, researchers have found that exposing children to mold when they are young increases their likelihood of developing asthma. While the substance can be dangerous for people of all ages, it causes serious respiratory problems in some adults. Mold produces a toxic substance called mycotoxin, a trigger for immune responses and long-lasting respiratory problems.
How Do You Prevent Mold After a Leak?
Although you shouldn’t take the threat of mold lightly after a one-time water leak, it’s not over yet. You can drastically reduce the chances of mold developing by taking a few basic steps.
Mold can grow incredibly quickly if the humidity and temperature levels are ideal. The CDC recommends that you clean up the house within the first 24 to 48 hours or prevent mold from growing. A leak, however small, can lead to the same results. The spores begin to grow within the first few days—even before they are visible! That’s why you must act quickly and address the issue before it gets worse.
Remove as much moisture from the area as possible, because mold thrives in damp environments. Use fans to speed up the drying process and open nearby windows if that is possible. You will also need to clean the area, even if there are no visible signs of spores or growth. You can disinfect hard surfaces with store-bought products or detergent and water. Alternatively, you can use a highly diluted bleach solution on porous surfaces, like carpeting, wood, and drywall.
Mold grows best in high humidity. To help prevent mold, use a dehumidifier to lower humidity levels in the affected room. You can also purchase a humidity gauge to ensure you keep your home at a comfortable level of humidity, reducing the risk of mold growth.
Conclusion
We hope this article proves to be useful when it comes to helping you deal with mold at home. While mold may seem like a difficult problem to combat, it’s not something that you won’t be able to deal with if you know what you’re doing. Be sure to keep everything you’ve learned here in mind so that you can prevent mold from taking over your home.
Environmental Mold LLC offers commercial and residential mold remediation services in California. Let us help you with all your mold removal needs. Contact us today for more information.