What You Should Know About Mold Cleanup After a Storm
5/24/2022 (Permalink)
As a homeowner, you owe it to yourself to take care of the property through regular maintenance, home security, and protection against damages due to fire, theft, and even certain types of storms. Insurance policies vary in terms of what perils are covered, especially in certain locations.
After a hurricane or severe thunderstorm, you may experience water damage at your home in West Valley City, UT. Whether as a result of a leak in your roof or floodwater, unaddressed water damage can lead to other serious problems such as mold growth. Here’s what you should know about cleanup.
Important Information to Consider
Mold Removal vs Remediation
You may have heard terms such as cleanup, removal, and remediation used interchangeably, but they have very different meanings when it comes to your home. Removal is simply the act of disposing of objects and surfaces covered in mold. Remediation involves a comprehensive approach that includes the following:
- Assessing the extent of damage
- Removing affected items
- Preventing mold growth
- Employing special cleanup techniques
- Repairing and rebuilding as needed
Cleaning up mold is not a DIY approach. You need to contact a professional mold remediation provider to get the job done.
Difficult Cleanup
The reality is that mold is not something that is easily cleaned with bleach. Mold spores exist everywhere, and even though you may not see mold on a visible surface, it can easily and quickly spread beneath floors, behind walls, and above ceilings. This fungus also can survive in cracks, crevices, and other hard-to-reach places.
Do you have the equipment and energy to cut into your house structure to confirm the source and the extent of the spread? Is it even safe for you to do so? Restoration professionals are fully equipped and experienced in finding out where the mold is to return your home to pre-damage conditions.
Stop the Spread
Mold can spread quickly. Let’s suppose you have flooding in your home that was limited to one area. In the time it takes for you to acquire pumps, wet vacs, and other water removal items, damage can spread to another room unbeknownst to you. Remediation professionals have equipment that can isolate affected areas and spare parts of your home that are unaffected. They know the best way to approach the job to avoid double duty and other mistakes that can extend the cleanup period.
Odor Control
Mold isn’t just unsightly. It also leaves a musty odor that can affect the building structure as well as other possessions. The professionals have the equipment to remove unwanted smells from your house and its belongings. They understand which products are the best for getting the odor out of the air, fabric, upholstery, carpets, rugs, and other items which may not be otherwise damaged. The professionals do what they can to save objects by cleaning and repairing, more affordable alternatives to replacement.
If you have mildew or mold from flooding, burst pipes, or other types of water damage, you’ll need to call the pros right away. You want a complete approach that does more than just removal. The professionals know how to prevent new mold growth and minimize the time and cost associated with a full restoration.