Household mold is more than just an eyesore—it represents a potential health threat as well. Thus it's a good idea to tackle mold issues before they become too pronounced. Unfortunately, that can sometimes be easier said than done. If you would like to learn more about eliminating mold caused by water damage in your home, read on. This article will arm you with three valuable tips to help ensure you win the battle.
Be vigilant for plumbing leaks.
Moisture and mold go hand in hand, which is why bathrooms and kitchens are the two most common places for mold to proliferate. This also means that, when you find mold developing in other rooms of the house, there's a good chance that some sort of plumbing leak is at the heart of the problem.
It's important to determine the source of the leak as soon as possible. Proceed to the nearest water outlet and turn it on. Let it continue flowing while you begin to check for signs of a leak. Continue this process while moving progressively farther from the mold. It's possible that the water has traveled from far away, which means you may find the source in a whole different part of your home.
Learn to distinguish mold from dirt.
Chances are that over the years you've developed a pretty good eye for what is, and what isn't, mold. Then again, nobody's perfect. And certain varieties of mold have a nasty way of passing themselves off as simple dirt stains. Luckily, when in doubt you can always perform this simple test.
Prepare a diluted bleach solution—approximately one part bleach for every sixteen parts water. This is strong enough to kill mold, but not to bleach away the color of dirt. Now gently blot some of this solution on your mystery spot. If it disappears, it's a safe bet that the source of the problem is mold, not dirt.
Inspect your ductwork when dealing with ceiling mold.
Ceiling mold tends to baffle many people, doubly so when there aren't any obvious signs of a water leak. In fact, the problem may not have anything at all to do with your plumbing system. Rather, issues with your ductwork may be the real culprit here.
You see, when duct insulation works loose, water will tend to condense on the outside of the ductwork. Before long, this moisture will lead to mold growth. Therefore, a thorough inspection of your ductwork should be considered mandatory any time you notice mold forming on your ceiling. If your mold infestation is serious enough, strongly consider getting a professional in for duct cleaning (like Crystal Coast Heating & Air LLC). This will keep the mold from spreading to other parts of your house through the ventilation system.
