Here Florida, we’re no strangers to humidity. It can get quite muggy and damp, especially in the summer, and the excess moisture in the air can make our homes more susceptible to mold and mildew as opposed to homes in more arid, dry regions. If you notice the telltale musky smell associated with mildew or spot blackish-green patches of mold in your home, please don’t ignore these signs! Not only can mold deteriorate your home, but it can also be detrimental to you and your family’s health. There are different types of mold and mildew, and some are more harmful than others. Breathing in the spores released by mold can cause symptoms ranging from a cough or rash to more severe reactions such as compromised immune systems and lung infections. Bottom line – if you have mold in your home you need to get rid of it as soon as possible! Here are some ways to identify and eradicate mold and mildew.
The first thing to do if you suspect a mold problem is to determine where it is and what’s causing it. Always wear a mask when you’re near the area you suspect mold is growing to reduce the number of spores you breathe in.
Mold grows in warm, damp environments, so bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms are places you might find mold. Mold can grow just about anywhere though, including in air vents, behind wallpaper, in books, etc. If you smell a musty odor, it’s likely that you have mildew or mold. If you see black or green discolorations on your walls, ceiling, or other surfaces in your home, you probably have a severe mold infestation. Depending on how early you catch it you may be able to treat the mold problem yourself, but if it progresses past a certain stage, you’ll need to call in professionals to safely eradicate the problem.
Once you’ve determined it’s likely you have a mold problem in your home it’s time to determine whether you can safely remove the mold yourself or if you should have a professional do it. Black mold can be toxic to breathe in and you should not attempt to tackle the infestation on your own. If there are over ten square feet of mold, that’s another sign that you should hire a professional mold remover. If there is only a small amount of mold you can try a few DIY ways to safely remove it on your own before hiring an expert, and we’ll get into how to do this in our upcoming blog.
Sun Plumbing has been Brevard County’s go-to plumbing company since 1974. We offer a wide array of services including leak detection, pipe repairs, faucet replacement, and water heater repair. If you live in the Melbourne or Viera areas and need any plumbing services, whether mold is the cause or not, please call us today.
