How to Spot and Fix Mold Infestation
3 min read
You can buy a new house or relocate to a new apartment only to discover mold growth a few weeks after settling in. This is even after completing a home inspection for any deficiency before making up your mind. This prompts the question, is mold infestation not one of the reasons why you had to schedule a home inspection? Sadly, mold can grow in spots that can’t be seen by naked eyes. It can only take professional mold remediation services St Louis Missouri to dig them out.
Many tenants or homeowners assume that it is the primary responsibility of a home inspection service to discover if the property has a mold problem. Sadly, it is a wrong assumption; while home inspections may report visible mold signs, they will not dig any further to determine the root cause. In some cases, a home inspector might not even report a mold problem, especially if the problem has been concealed.
A bad home seller may not inform a prospective buyer of the mold problem, but instead, hide it by running a fresh new paint over the affected area. This is only a temporary fix and the paint job may prevent a home inspector from discovering mold infestation. If the buyer purchases the property it won’t take long before the mold signs reappear once again.
There are many other reasons why mold infestation appears a few weeks after entering a new home. Another scenario might be that the mold growth was still at its infant stage before the new occupant moved in. In this case, the previous occupant knows nothing about it. Mold spores might have been around the home for long but waiting for the right conditions to manifest.
So if you have encountered a mold problem in your home, what are the steps to take? How do you know you are dealing with mold infestation?
Mold Signs
To determine if you are dealing with a mold infestation, check for these signs
Mold spores and gases when inhaled can impact the respiratory system of those with a weak immune system or pre-existing health conditions. Common symptoms when allergic to mold include breathlessness, runny nose, sneezing, tweezing, headaches, and asthma attacks. If the allergic reactions only occur when they are inside then reach out to expert mold remediation services St Louis Missouri.
Other common causes include musty-choking smell of mold, water damage issues, visible signs of mold which appear in many different colors including yellow, whitish, black, grayish-brown, or gray-green, or water leakage problem.
Solution
Now that it is certified that you are dealing with a mold problem, the next step is to take action. However, your next line of action depends on many factors which include location, mold size, mold type, and the primary cause of mold growth.
Before a proper remediation process will be performed, you might need to find the root cause of the problem. Otherwise, you will continue to deal with this problem. Mold grows in damp, dark areas with low ventilation. Depending on the size and location, you can get rid of mold growth yourself by washing with non-ammonia soal and leaving the affected area to soak for at least 10 minutes with a water bleach solution. Remember to protect yourself with the right gear while performing this exercise.
A more extensive mold problem will, of course, require the expertise of mold remediation services St Louis Missouri.
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