Mold is a common concern for central Florida homeowners. And the mold damage that often results from its widespread growth can lead to health and structural problems that, left unaddressed, can be devastating.
Preventing mold from forming is essential to maintaining your home and health. The best way to stop mold in its tracks is to control the moisture that’s helping it reproduce and circulate.
The Connection Between Indoor Moisture and Mold Growth
Mold and mildew are caused by excessive moisture. The hotter and more humid it is, the more moisture you’ll likely need to deal with. Both mold and mildew are fungi—mildew is simply mold in its early stages. They’re also both incredibly vital to our environment, but they can become a significant problem when they grow out of control inside our homes. Here are some reasons:
- Health effects – People in the home with allergies and other respiratory issues are susceptible to mold’s adverse health effects, including sinus congestion, breathing problems, headaches, worsening asthma, and eye, nose, and throat irritation.
- Structural damage – Mold feeds and thrives on organic matter. When it attaches itself to walls, paper backing, insulation, or carpeting, cleaning and/or removal is often required.
- Personal property – Once mold starts to grow on personal belongings like clothing and shoes or household items like furniture and mattresses, you can sometimes remove it. In many cases, your best bet is to have a professional mold removal company restore the items to their original condition.
- HVAC systems – Mold is often found inside heating and cooling equipment and components. Unfortunately, many sections of your home’s HVAC system are not accessible for visible inspection. A professional mold damage restoration technician can inspect and thoroughly clean the system to help avoid having to remove or replace it.
All mold needs to grow is the right combination of moisture, temperature, and food source. When mold spores enter your home via doorways, windows, HVAC units, people, and pets, they begin to drop anywhere there’s excessive moisture. Common sites include:
- Humidifiers
- Leaky roofs
- Sinks, showers, and bathtubs
- Leaky pipes
- Any area that’s been flooded, including toilet overflows
Telltale signs that mold has taken root inside your home include a musty or mildewy odor, visible condensation due to high indoor humidity, visible growth in damp and humid areas, and health symptoms.
Take Control of Mold & Moisture Problems in Your Central Florida Home
Controlling interior moisture, particularly during the hot and humid summer months, keeps mold at bay. Here’s how to control mold and moisture this summer and all year long.
- Monitor humidity levels – An indoor humidity level above 60 percent can lead to mold growth in your home within 24 to 48 hours. A humidity monitor or whole-house dehumidification system can help keep humidity at the ideal level of 30 to 60 percent.
- Proper use of air conditioning and dehumidifiers – A/C does dry out the air, but simply keeping your unit running 24 hours a day doesn’t address the problem of high indoor humidity. Anyone who lives in a humid zone also needs a dehumidifier to remove humidity from the air.
- Air filters – Regularly replacing your HVAC system’s air filters helps keep mold from growing inside the unit. Depending on your unique circumstances, you should swap out filters every 30 to 90 days.
Most importantly, you should fix any moisture problems, including those that might be caused by hidden leaks.
Call in the Pros for Expert Mold Removal, Restoration, and Remediation
Mold damage can be harmful to your health and home. If you think you have excessive mold growth in your home, Central Florida Restoration Solutions is the mold damage expert you can rely on for exemplary inspection, removal, restoration, and remediation services. For more than 20 years, CFRS has assisted Central Florida homeowners with all their water damage, mold damage, fire damage, and smoke damage issues, no matter how extensive or where they might be hiding.
If your home has recently experienced water damage from a leak or flood, or if you suspect a hidden leak, don’t wait for mold to get out of hand before dealing with it. Instead, contact us today for the support you need to keep your home and family safe from the dangerous effects of mold damage.
