Cleaning Up Mold From Water Damage

Water damage is a common problem for homeowners and commercial property owners. It can result from various causes, such as roof leaks, burst pipes, flooding, and storm damage. When water damage is not promptly addressed, it can lead to mold growth, a serious health and structural concern. Let’s walk through the causes of water damage, how to identify mold, and when to seek professional help. You’ll also learn about the mold remediation process, including attic mold removal and bathroom mold abatement.

Causes of Water Damage

Water damage can occur for a variety of reasons, but some common causes include:

Roof Leaks: A leaky roof can allow moisture to seep into your attic, walls, or ceiling, promoting mold growth. Left untreated, roof leaks can lead to structural damage.
Burst Pipes: Freezing temperatures or old pipes can cause pipes to burst. This can lead to serious water damage and mold growth.
Flooded Basement: Heavy rains or poor drainage can cause your basement to flood, creating a prime environment for mold growth.
Storm Damage: Strong storms, including hurricanes and tornadoes, can cause water to enter homes through broken windows or damaged roofing.

How to Identify Mold

Mold can grow in as little as 24-48 hours after water damage occurs. Knowing the signs is important so you can act quickly:

Visible Mold: Mold often appears as black, green, or white spots in moist areas like bathrooms, basements, and attics. If you notice discoloration, especially after water damage, it’s likely mold.
Musty Smell: Mold growth emits a distinctive, musty odor. If you smell this in a damp area, it could be a sign of hidden mold.
Health Symptoms: Exposure to mold spores can trigger allergic reactions, respiratory issues, and even headaches. If people in your household are experiencing these symptoms, your home may have been affected by mold.

Types of Mold and Their Dangers

Different types of molds can grow after water damage, and each comes with unique risks:

Stachybotrys (Black Mold): Often associated with severe water damage, this type of mold can cause respiratory problems and other health issues.
Aspergillus: Common in damp areas, Aspergillus can lead to allergic reactions and lung infections.
Cladosporium: Found in warm, moist environments like bathrooms, it can cause skin and respiratory irritation.

Each of these molds poses risks to both the structure of your home and the health of its occupants. That’s why it’s crucial to address water damage and mold growth promptly.

When to Contact a Professional

While small moldy areas (less than 10 square feet) can sometimes be handled by homeowners, larger areas or mold resulting from significant water damage should be dealt with by professionals. Professional mold remediation services, like Jenkins Environmental, have the equipment and expertise to safely and effectively remove mold. Here are a few scenarios in which you should seek professional help:

Extensive Water Damage: If water damage has affected large areas of your home or business, professional water damage restoration is necessary to prevent mold growth.
Toxic Mold: If you’re dealing with black mold or other dangerous mold types, professional mold abatement is essential.
Mold in Hard-to-Reach Areas: Mold can grow in places like behind drywall, in air ducts, or the attic. Professional attic mold removal ensures all traces of mold are eliminated safely.

The Mold Remediation Process

Professional mold remediation follows a series of steps to ensure that the mold is thoroughly and safely removed:

Inspection and Assessment: A professional team will assess the extent of water damage and mold growth. This often involves testing for mold spores in the air to determine how far the contamination has spread.
Containment: The affected area is sealed off to prevent mold spores from spreading to other parts of the property.
Filtration: Special air filtration devices are used to capture mold spores and clean the air in the contaminated area.
Removal of Mold-Infested Materials: Porous materials like drywall, insulation, and carpets that have been affected by mold may need to be removed.
Cleaning and Sanitization: The remaining surfaces are cleaned and sanitized to remove any lingering mold spores. Professional mold remediation teams often use antifungal and antimicrobial treatments to prevent future mold growth.
Restoration: Once the mold has been eliminated, the final step is restoring any areas that were damaged during the water damage clean-up and mold remediation process.

Preventing Future Mold Growth

To prevent future mold growth, it’s crucial to repair water damage promptly. Address any roof leaks, fix burst pipes, and ensure proper drainage around your property. Regular inspections of high-risk areas like attics, basements, and bathrooms can help catch problems early.

Mold growth following water damage is a serious issue that should be dealt with quickly and professionally. If you find yourself affected by mold in your home or business due to water damage, don’t hesitate to contact Jenkins Environmental Services for your mold removal and abatement. Our emergency restoration team is available 24/7 and will restore your property to its safe and healthy condition.