Mold 101: Tips by Summit Waterproofing
Mold’s number-one need is moisture. Indoor mold growth can be prevented if you learn how to control the moisture indoors. If you find traces of mold growth in your home, one of the most important things you can do is to clean it up while looking out for any water problems or air leaks that could be causing this problem. If you just clean up all traces of mold without doing anything about the water, this could prove to be a fruitless task as the mold problem will just return. What’s vital is cleanup and prevention for a happier, healthier home.
Why's it Growing?
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Mold grows because it’s a part of the natural environment. Mold works by breaking down any dead organic matter like leaves and dead trees. But indoors, mold growth is something that has to be prevented as much as you possibly can. The way mold multiplies is by using spores that float through indoor and outdoor air.
While it’s perfectly fine and part of the ecosystem, these spores have no place in your home, especially because they can cause respiratory problems if left alone to propagate, and are breathed in by humans or pets. Mold begins when mold spores land on wet surfaces, and there they grow and multiply.
Halting Mold Growth
Mold requires darkness, moisture and warmth to grow. Lose any or all of these and mold won’t appear anymore. It gets worse in already completed basements because there are areas behind the drywall that will never see the light of day again, and any mold growth present there can go undetected for quite awhile. What you should really watch out for, and what you can control, is the level of moisture; and the moisture that can find its way into your crawl space and basement. Whether it’s because of a leaky pipe, faulty water heaters or high humidity: find a way to make sure it gets sucked up immediately. There are various waterproofing solutions available that can aid you, from waterproof sealants to buying a sump pump.
Can I Get Rid of Mold?
Unfortunately, it’s impossible to be rid of all the mold and the spores indoors, because there will still be spores floating in the air. There are even mold spores floating around in dust. What’s important is that we can control one aspect of mold, and that’s the level of moisture. Without moisture, mold can’t grow. As long as you keep your home as dry as possible and seal or waterproof any air leaks, you can be sure that your home will be safe, clean and dry.
Hopefully, these tips have enhanced your understanding of mold and what we can do to prevent it. However, if you find yourself in need for products that promote moisture control, or need waterproofing in your basement, crawl space or foundation, you can be sure that we of Summit Environmental Solutions will be pleased to help you. We employ highly-trained professionals who do high-quality work and we also have professional and friendly staff who would be happy to answer any questions you may have about your current situation.
Pick up the phone and call us now at 703-832-4949 or visit our contact page and we can get started with a free estimate.
