What Steps Should I Take if I Find Mold in My Home?

What Steps Should I Take if I Find Mold in My Home?

All indoor environments have some mold spores in them, and, in small amounts, they’re generally harmless. But if mold spores land on damp spots in your home, they can start to grow and spread mold throughout the house.

Whether it appears as white patches on your garage floor, an orange film on kitchen and bathroom drains, or black slime on shower curtains, household mold is more than unsightly. In some cases, it can make people sick, especially those with allergies or asthma.

Most household surfaces, including floors, walls, carpets, furniture, and appliances, provide the “food” mold needs to grow. Because all molds need moisture, you’re most likely to see damage in kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and crawl spaces. However, it can also damage hidden materials like drywall, insulation, and structural elements.

While you can easily remove the mold that grows in showers or on tiling, more extensive mold growth, which tends to occur after significant water damage, often requires professional remediation and removal services. The experts at Central Florida Restoration Services understand the science behind mold growth and have the experience and expertise needed to mitigate further damage and return your home’s mold levels back to normal.

Steps to Take If You Find Mold in Your Home

If you recently discovered mold in your Central Florida home, these steps will help you deal with the problem and ensure the mold doesn’t return.

Step 1: Detect the Problem

Out-of-control mold growth often gives off a musty odor and leaves discolored spots on interior walls. Keep in mind that molds come in a variety of colors, including black, green, white, pink, gray-green, and gray-brown. Any water leak can also lead to mold growth and damage, including in difficult-to-reach spaces, like inside walls or in crawlspaces. Lastly, if anyone in the house exhibits allergic reactions like red and irritated eyes, trouble breathing, or excessively dry skin, they could be reacting to mold.

Step 2: Have Your Home Tested

Special mold testing kits use air sampling to determine the type and concentration of mold in your home. We recommend having a professional mold remediation company conduct the mold testing, as home kits can be inaccurate, giving you a false positive or false negative reading. Professional testing, on the other hand, is sensitive enough to confirm even the presence of dead mold spores.

Step 3: Identify the Cause

Pinpointing what caused a mold problem ensures the cleanup efforts prevent mold from returning. Roof leaks should be repaired, and broken pipes should be fixed or replaced.

Step 4: Contact Your Insurance Company

Ask your homeowner’s insurance agent if mold removal is covered in your policy. It often is, depending on the cause and type of mold you’re dealing with.

Step 5: Have the Mold Removed

Having mold properly remediated rather than making it a DIY project is a must. Mold damage restoration experts can quickly and accurately gauge the extent of mold growth and identify potential damage. They also have the proper tools and know-how to manage all sorts of mold problems without further damaging your home and are equipped with the latest safety gear, including industry-standard filtration masks and protective suits and gloves.

Hire a Professional Mold Restoration Company

For over 25 years, CFRS has efficiently and expertly delivered professional mold remediation services to nearly 1,000 homeowners throughout Central Florida. Our team is skilled at helping you solve mold problems within the 24 to 48-hour window when mold can begin to grow and spread.

Whether your home has experienced a natural or homemade disaster, CFRS’ reliable mold restoration services can help. When you trust us as your mold restoration expert, you enjoy:

  • Emergency services 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
  • Tested and proven mold remediation and removal methods that rely on the industry’s latest and best tools and techniques.
  • Assistance dealing with your homeowner’s insurance company.

Removing mold from your Central Florida home doesn’t need to be a stressful experience, and you don’t need to do it alone! Contact CFRS online or call us at 407-988-6101 to schedule efficient, safe, and permanent mold removal at your home.

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