As a trusted service provider of mold removal in Brandon, we help clients keep their homes safe and comfortable. By learning the telltale signs of infestation, you can save both time and money by getting professional help right away.

Dark Spots on the Wall

If you start noticing dark spots on the walls in the bathroom or basement, your space may have mold. These blackish-green spots on surfaces could be black mold (Stachybotrys chartarum). These like to grow on fiberboard, gypsum board, and drywall, where it lives off organic matter.

Molds are not always black. Some molds appear white, others gray-green, and even pink. Even black mold, in its early stages, can appear gray or green, only becoming black when it releases spores. If you notice any discolored patches or stains on your walls, and more of the other signs of infestation in this article, you may have a mold problem and should contact a professional.

Signs of Water Damage/Pooling

Areas of water damage, like where you might have a leak  can create an environment suited for mold growth, so it’s important to have those fixed immediately.

According to FEMA, mold can develop within 24 – 48 hours of water exposure. What’s worse, mold will continue to grow unless properly and completely removed—areas that had a mold infestation can get more growth in the future, if there are any lingering spores.

Other signs of water damage may be cracks or warping in the paint on the walls or ceiling, or peeling wallpaper. Properties with a history of flooding are also prone to mold growth. After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, for example, homes that survived the flooding had to deal with serious mold outbreaks, with particularly serious cases leaving the city government with no choice but to demolish the infested buildings.

After any particularly heavy rainfall or storms, it’s worth the effort to look around your house for places where water may have collected, especially in enclosed areas where it may take a long time to evaporate on its own, like basements, especially if you have basement windows where water may have seeped in. These are prime candidates for mold-growing areas.

Presence of Mold Odor

Some molds often give off a strong earthly or mildew-like odor. The Environmental Protection Agency explains that mold produces compounds called microbial volatile organic compounds (mVOCs) which cause the odor. mVOCs can cause irritation in the eyes and upper-airways, and trigger asthma and allergy attacks.

The mold odors are typically more pronounced in areas like:

• above the ceiling tiles
• in walls with insulation
• behind curtains
• under the carpets

If you notice a musty smell in these areas, even if they’re faint, it may be a mold problem, even if there are no visible signs of mold growth.

Condensation

When warm air meets a cold surface, condensation happens. This results in the formation of water droplets on surfaces like windows, walls, and air ducts. If this happens regularly, the moisture can cause mold growth.

Properly regulating your home or building temperature is a good way to combat the condensation and mold growth it usually causes. Installing dehumidifiers in humid areas like bathrooms are also a good way to prevent mold growth, but they won’t help much if mold is already present.

Unexplained Allergic Reactions

According to the CDC, moldy environments can cause a variety of health effects. However, people who are sensitive to mold can experience symptoms like stuffy nose, wheezing, itchy eyes, and red skin.

People with mold allergies or asthma may have intense reactions that include fever and shortness of breath.

If you or anyone in your family starts showing these symptoms, chances are you may have a mold allergy and your property has an infestation. Contact a professional to deal with the infestation as soon as possible, as mold removal requires a total cleansing of the area to clear out not just the mold but residual spores.

Trusted Mold Removal experts

For mold removal services in Brandon, get professional and reliable experts to help you. With Water Damage Brandon, we provide an honest and reliable approach when it comes to your mold problem. Reach out to us today to know more.

The post Early Signs of Mold Infestation To Make Mold Removal Easier appeared first on Restoration 1 of Tampa Bay.

Fortunately, knowing where to check for mold can help you prevent it from growing and contaminating your home.

Here are a few common locations:

Kitchen

Examine your sink and its surrounding areas. This includes any of your sponges, rags, and dirty dishes you may have left unwashed. Then, proceed to inspect directly under it for one of the most common sources for mold — leaking pipes.

Go through your appliances one by one. Excess grease and food droppings in or around your microwave, oven, or on your stove tops are prime candidates for mold growth. Make sure to deep clean your refrigerator every few months and toss out old or expired food. Don’t forget to empty out water dispensers and drip trays as well.

Bathroom

Mold thrives in wet environments. This means that your shower or bathtub are the most prone to accumulating mold. Take the time to rinse and wipe down nearby objects such as shampoo and conditioner bottles, loofahs, and your shower curtain, too. Maximize ventilation options like exhaust fans and windows to keep humidity levels low.

Bedroom

Insomnia, snoring, and excessive daytime sleepiness have been linked to mold in the household. This gives you all the more reason to inspect your room’s heating and air conditioning vents — both dark areas that may house mold when left unattended.

You may also find mold on your mattress, especially if its underside doesn’t get space to breath. Investing in a mold-resistant mattress or a slatted bed frame is often a good solution to this.

Living Room

Mold is most noticeable on your curtains and couches when a musty smell seeps out of the fabric and upholstery. Check these areas regularly. In addition, make sure you avoid over-watering any indoor plants and drain your plant saucers of any excess water to lessen the moisture in the room.

General Areas

Be wary of any signs of potential mold on your ceilings and walls, and behind tiles. While they may not be immediately visible to the naked eye, condensation on these surfaces or peeling wallpapers are usually bad signs.

You can also perform your own test on the area to double check any suspicions you may have. In order to do this, simply place a doormat on the part of the floor you want to examine or tape a doormat to your chosen patch of the wall.

Then, leave it alone and return to look it over in one or two days. Your home is at risk of developing mold if its bottom side is damp and you notice moisture on the area you placed it.

Maintaining a Mold-Free Home

Sometimes, despite all the practices you follow, an area of your home may be overlooked, exposed to spores, and contaminated. Prevent any health risks and contact experts in mold removal in Brandon to get your home mold-free once more. Get in touch with us today.

The post Preventing Mold Growth in Every Room of Your Home appeared first on Restoration 1 of Tampa Bay.