When Is Mold Remediation Required: What To Do Next?

6 min read

Suspecting mold inside your home can be unsettling. While enlisting professional mold remediation is crucial in resolving the situation, it also means arranging to stay elsewhere during the remediation work. Ultimately, it means dealing with structural repairs later on and experiencing a disruption in your life.

Still, hiring mold removal professionals as early as possible enables you to return your home to normal as soon as possible. The question is, when is mold remediation required? More importantly, are there steps you can take to prevent bacterial growth from returning?

4 Telltale Signs You Have Mold – And Need It Professionally Removed ASAP

These signs often indicate you already have too much mold in your house and need professional intervention as soon as possible.

1. Something Smells Off

While not all molds give off a musty or earthy smell, many do. If you notice a persistent strange smell inside your home, it could be a sign mold is growing inside.

Microbial growth often begins in damp or poorly ventilated areas like basements or bathrooms. It can also hide behind walls or beneath your flooring. If the stale scent has already pervaded your living spaces, there’s a good chance mold has already spread from its source.

Certified professionals will eliminate molds causing it, including colonies that might be hidden from plain sight and help restore your indoor air quality.

2. Your Surfaces Are Covered With Stains or Furry Spots

In some cases, indoor mold can show up as discolorations or furry growths on the surfaces it grows on. Some species appear black, gray, green, or white, while others sport more vibrant colors, like orange, yellow, pink, and red.

However, these are not mere stains but active mold colonies. More importantly, more mold could be hiding beneath surfaces and slowly wreaking havoc on your building’s structure. The sooner you let experts address your mold situation, the more you will be able to prevent irreparable damage.

3. You Had Recent Water Damage

Mold thrives in moist environments, and water damage creates the ideal conditions for it to grow. So, if your home has recently experienced a leak, flood, or plumbing issue, looking for mold near water-affected areas is a smart practice.

However, more importantly, it’s best to hire water extraction and restoration professionals immediately after major emergencies. Bacterial growth can begin within 72 hours after a water damage event if the affected area isn’t dried quickly. Professional teams use modern equipment to ensure all affected rooms and structures are cleaned and dried before they begin harboring mold.

4. Your Family Members Are Getting Sick

Mold can release tiny spores into the air. When inhaled, these can cause various health issues like allergies, skin irritation, and respiratory problems, especially in children and individuals with weakened immune systems or existing respiratory conditions.

But when is mold remediation required in your home? If your family members experience unexplained health problems when staying indoors, mold is likely the culprit. Noting their symptoms and tracking whether they feel better when they leave the house can indicate it’s time to get professionals involved.

Why You Shouldn’t Wait When Mold Remediation Is Required

What’s crucial to remember about mold is that it can grow quickly. Moreover, it will continue to spread and compromise the surfaces and structures it grows on as long as the ideal conditions are present.

Waiting too long to get professional mold remediation can then result in the following:

• Reduced indoor air quality
• Respiratory issues and other health conditions due to prolonged mold exposure
• Damage to equipment, furnishings, and other valuables
• Compromised structural integrity.

How Long Does Mold Remediation Take?

Most mold removal projects take 1-5 days. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean your life can return to normal in less than a week.

Since mold remediation in Freehold, NJ, also involves treating structural elements that can’t be removed and taking out drywall, ceilings, carpets, and other fibrous materials infested with mold, your building must also be repaired and reconstructed.

Moreover, the time it takes to remove mold depends on various factors:

• The extent of the contamination
• The location of the mold (if mold is in hard-to-reach areas, removal could take longer)
• The materials the mold is growing on

Nevertheless, a certified and experienced mold remediation company can make the whole process as efficient and seamless as possible.

After Mold Removal: How To Prevent Mold From Coming Back

Mold is everywhere, so letting your guard down can allow it to return and take over your home again. Following these practical tips can help you protect your property – and your loved ones – from a recurrence:

• Eliminate moisture sources immediately. Wipe up spills and remove excessive water as soon as possible to prevent creating the ideal conditions for bacterial growth.
• Repair leaks right away. If you discover leaks in your pipes, roofs, and other parts of the house, have them repaired as soon as possible. Doing so prevents them from causing water damage and promoting bacterial growth.
• Control indoor humidity levels. Keeping the indoor humidity level around 50% ensures your home stays comfortable and safe from recurring mold.
• Maintain proper ventilation. Incorporate practices like opening the windows if the weather permits or running the exhaust fan while showering in your daily routine. These can get rid of excess moisture and let fresh air in your home.

Protect Your Home From Frustrating and Recurring Mold Problems With Restoration 1

Unchecked bacterial growth will only continue jeopardizing your building’s structure, negatively impacting your comfort, and causing health issues for you and your loved ones. Taking the DIY route isn’t a smart choice either, as failing to remove mold properly will only lead to recurring bacterial growth.

If you notice any of the signs mentioned above, don’t hesitate to immediately call the certified professionals at Restoration 1 of Freehold for help. We understand how unsettling and disruptive dealing with indoor mold can be, so we use industry-approved practices to remove mold, address the moisture problem causing it, and make your home healthy again.

Contact Restoration 1 of Freehold at (908) 336-1736 to schedule your mold remediation. We look forward to ensuring your home is mold-free, and your family is safe.