So, you've found mold on your property. Naturally, you're worried about potential health risks, costs, and damages to your belongings. You probably want to know how the mold got into your home or business in the first place, and you certainly want to know how to remove it. Likewise, you probably want some information on how to prevent future mold growth on your property, and you might want to learn a little more about mold itself. If all or any of the above applies to you, you've come to the right place. In this article, our waterproofing and mold control professionals at Everydry Waterproofing have compiled short guide that all property owners should read if they find mold in their homes or business. Read on for What to Know Right Away When You Have Mold, and contact our New York waterproofing and mold control experts at (585) 247-7692 today!

Mold Is Caused By Excessive Moisture

"Mold" refers any type of fungi that grows in the form of multicellular filaments called hyphae. Molds are a very large and taxonomically diverse number of fungal species, sharing in common a "fuzzy" appearance characteristic of the growth of the branch-like hyphae. Though not all molds are dangerous, nearly all of the mold species that grow unwanted in homes or businesses can pose potential health risks, discussed in further detail below. Unfortunately for property owners, it doesn't take much for mold to grow. All mold needs is a small food source --- any organic material, such as leaves, wood, dirt, or paper will do the trick. The second and final ingredient is moisture. Since virtually all properties have an inherent supply of organic material, it is almost always the presence of excessive moisture that catalyzes a mold infestation in a particular space. Properties plagued with excessive moisture due to flooding or leaks are thus at an especially high risk of mold infestation. By keeping your interior space as dry as possible, you are greatly reducing your risk of unwanted mold on your property. You can learn more about the removal and prevention of mold in the sections below.

Mold Has Potential Health Risks

Aside from appearing unsightly and emitting a distinctly unpleasant musky odor, mold can present a number of health-related concerns for those on your property. Most species of mold release spores to facilitate growth. Once in your air, mold spores can lead to a number of unwanted symptoms, including headaches, respiratory issues, itchiness of the eyes, nose, and throat, congestion and runny nose, sneezing, and other irritation. Mold spores have also been scientifically shown to exacerbate the symptoms of Asthma and seasonal allergies in all demographic groups. As problematic as the mold itself is the climate in which it thrives: excessively damp and cool interior spaces can have of negative impacts on your health. To eliminate these health risks from your life, it's important to not only rid your property of mold, but design your space to prevent future outbreaks from occurring in the first place.

Test Twice

Once you've found mold on your property, you'll probably be tempted to clean it up as quickly as possible and move on with your life. However, quick mold cleanings often miss a potentially-threatening bigger problem: more mold. To get essential information on the type of mold you are dealing with, associated health risks, and how bad your mold infestation really is, it's important to have your property tested by a trained mold professional. Mold professionals will be able to provide you with comprehensive information regarding your mold problem, and will offer comprehensive cleaning solutions to rid your space of mold for good. Once you've received your initial mold test and your thorough property cleaning, it's important to test again. Request an air-test after cleaning and removal to make sure that all traces of mold in your home or business are completely eliminated. Most reputable mold control services will offer and suggest this exit test themselves.

Take Proper Removal and Prevention Steps

When mold has entered your home or business, it's important to remove it as efficiently and effectively as possible. As discussed above, this is best done with the help of a trained mold control professional. The same can be said for future mold prevention. Since excessive moisture is an essential ingredient and the leading cause of mold problems in properties across the globe, it's vital that you control the moisture in your home or business to prevent mold outbreaks. The best way to do this is to hire a trained waterproofing team like the professionals here at Everdry Waterproofing to inspect your property for sources of water leakage and to provide comprehensive waterproofing renovations to keep your home moisture-free year-round.

If you would like more information on the many mold-preventing waterproofing services we provide here at Everdry Waterproofing, or would simply like to ask questions about mold and/or water damage, we invite you to contact us at (585) 247-7692 today!