Mold found in your home can jeopardize your health and property. At Kingsley LLC, we understand the hazards that mold can present and provide comprehensive mold remediation services to quickly remove it. Whether you are buying or selling a home, or have discovered mold in your home unexpectedly, it is important to act quickly to limit exposure to hazardous mold spores and minimize damage to your home.
Causes Of Mold In The Home
Mold can develop in homes for a wide range of reasons. The Columbia area is hot and humid, which causes high levels of moisture – the perfect environment for mold to thrive. However, other conditions must also be met before mold will grow in a home. In addition to spores, mold needs warmth, oxygen, and a food source like drywall, wood, or cotton. If the conditions are right, mold can start to grow in as little as 24 to 48 hours.
It is not always easy to spot mold right away. Mold can grow undetected in small cracks and crevices, such as in the grout between ceramic tiles. It is most common in rooms of the home where there is a lot of moisture, such as a bathroom, kitchen, or basement. It can also develop under window air conditioner units, in ductwork, around chimneys, inside walls and crawl spaces, and near foundation air vents.
Just because you do not see mold does not mean it is not there. Other signs that could indicate the presence of mold in your home include a musty odor, property deterioration, and unexplained respiratory illnesses.
The Mold Remediation Process
Mold remediation involves a series of steps designed to identify, contain and remove mold. Before getting started, it is important to isolate the contaminated area to prevent mold spores from going airborne and spreading to other areas of the home. Proper ventilation is also required during mold remediation. Air filtration devices, such as air scrubbers, can help keep spores within the contaminated area.
Next, the affected area will need to be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. This involves removing any infected materials and applying a biocide, fungicide, or moldicide solution to the affected materials. Any wet or mold-damaged porous materials should be discarded in plastic bags tied closed. Wood or non-porous materials must be cleaned with a detergent solution. For more severe mold infestations, a HEPA vacuum may be needed to clean surfaces.
Finally, you will need to address the underlying source of the mold to prevent future mold growth. The source of the mold may be a hidden leaking pipe, rain seeping in due to a damaged roof, gaps around windows or doors, or foundation flooding. Improperly installed flashing, ice damming problems, missing insulation, and similar issues can all contribute to mold in the home.
Contact Our Mold Remediation Specialists
Kingsley LLC in Columbia, SC specializes in water damage restoration and mold remediation. If you are struggling with mold in your home, schedule an appointment online or call us at 803.590.0370 for a free mold inspection and removal estimate. Protect your family from mold exposure today!