How soon does mold grow after water damage?
The EPA says to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth. Past that, the odds rise quickly in a warm, humid house.
Marietta summers are hot and humid, and a wet wall cavity or crawl space gives mold everything it needs: water, food (drywall paper, wood, dust) and warmth. The single best way to avoid a mold job is to get drying started early. If you have water now, call (770) 670-4892 and press 1.
Can I clean mold myself?
For a small area, yes. The EPA says if the moldy area is less than about 10 square feet (about 3 feet by 3 feet), in most cases you can handle it yourself. If there was a lot of water damage, or mold covers more than that, bring in professionals.
The EPA's advice for doing it yourself:
- Fix the water problem first, or the mold comes back.
- Wear an N-95 respirator, long gloves and goggles without vent holes.
- Scrub hard surfaces with detergent and water, and dry them completely.
- Porous materials like ceiling tiles and carpet may have to be thrown away if they become moldy.
- If the water was sewage or other contaminated water, call a professional.
Still wet behind the walls? Call (770) 670-4892 and press 1 to reach a local water damage restoration company.
How do I know if there is hidden mold after a leak?
A musty smell that will not go away, paint that bubbles or peels, stains that keep coming back, or baseboards and floors that stay soft. Those usually mean moisture is still trapped in the wall, floor or ceiling.
A restoration company can measure moisture inside walls and under floors without tearing everything open first. Finding wet materials early is cheaper than removing moldy ones later.
How do I keep mold from coming back?
Keep indoor humidity below 60 percent, ideally 30 to 50 percent, as the EPA recommends. Fix leaks quickly, run bathroom and kitchen fans, keep AC drain lines clear, and keep crawl spaces dry.
A small hygrometer from a hardware store tells you where your humidity sits. If a room stays above 60 percent in summer even with the AC running, a dehumidifier helps. For what to do after any water damage, start with our guide to water damage restoration in Marietta.
What does professional mold remediation involve?
Containment so spores do not spread, removal of moldy porous materials, cleaning of hard surfaces, drying, and fixing the moisture source. The EPA points people to its guide on mold remediation for larger jobs.
Ask any company for a written scope that lists what they will remove, how they will contain the area, and how they will confirm the job is done. Ask, too, whether they will dry the area or whether you need a separate company for that.
Quick answers
Should I use bleach on mold?
The EPA's home mold guide covers cleaning small areas with detergent and water and warns never to mix bleach with ammonia or other cleaners. Porous materials that are moldy often need to be thrown away rather than cleaned.
Do I need a mold test?
If you can see mold or smell it, you usually do not need a test to know you have it. The fix is the same: stop the moisture, clean or remove the mold, and dry the area.
Does insurance cover mold?
Mold coverage varies a lot from policy to policy. Read the mold and water sections of your policy and ask your insurer before work starts.