Water on a property from flooding, leaks, or burst pipes can, by itself, cause a lot of damage. Broken electronics, ruined drywall, and stained ceilings are just a few examples of the effects that water can do. However, an additional danger comes from the presence of water in a home or business, and that is providing an environment that encourages mold growth. This is not something you want in your home or business. That's why, whenever you've had any type of residential or commercial water damage, it is extremely important to get it dried out and cleaned up as quickly as possible.
There’s More Than One Mold
When most people think of mold, often one of the first things that come to mind is the mold that appears on bread past its expiration date. However, bread is just one example of mold at work. There are many different varieties of mold; for most homes or businesses, a huge spectrum of those molds is already in the air.
This is how mold reproduces. Tiny spores are sent into the air, too small to see, light enough to float, and remain there, drifting, until the right environmental conditions for a particular mold finally arrive. Any open door, window, or ventilation shaft admits mold spores indoors unless a property owner takes exceptional measures, such as high-powered quarantine and filtration systems.
Bread mold requires a dry environment, with the right surface, such as stale bread. Other types of mold require different conditions, such as a dark, damp environment, like that found in caves, or in properties, areas that have suffered flooding, or leaks where water—or at the very least moisture—is present. Once mold settles down in its preferred environment, it “takes root,” accelerating reproduction and sending more spores into the air.
Mold Growth Isn't Just Unsightly, It's Also a Health Hazard
While mold can look dirty and hurt a property’s aesthetic, this is not the chief reason to get rid of it. As long as mold is in a home or workplace, every person on that property breathes in the spores. For some who already have a preexisting respiratory condition, such as asthma, the onset of symptoms will be rapid and likely severe, exacerbating their condition.
Even if you don’t have any respiratory conditions, if mold is allowed to persist on a property, the constant inhalation of spores may eventually cause illnesses to occur in people. More delicate constitutions, such as children or older people, will be affected first, but even adults in their prime may eventually succumb.
Some mold, such as “black mold,” contain mycotoxins, which, as the name suggests, are dangerous to people. Depending on the type of mold, prolonged inhalation of mycotoxins can eventually lead to neural disorders, such as loss of fine motor control, cerebral issues, such as inability to concentrate or remember things, and even respiratory or cardiac conditions.
Mold Removal Is A Difficult Challenge
Once a mold infestation has taken hold of a property, removing it is extremely challenging. Only experienced mold remediation experts will get you the results that make a property safe for people again. As with many other situations, prevention is the best medicine in this case. Not allowing mold to infest a property is a faster, cheaper, effective solution to bringing in a mold remediation team.
This is why, in the event of flooding, or other significant water damage, it is in a property owner’s best interests to remove the water as quickly as possible and then dry out the areas that water was in. It’s not just the visible water that is a threat; the water that has soaked into the area, such as in drywall, flooring, insulation, or crawl space, is retained and can create the kind of moist, dark environment that mold needs to flourish. All areas must be dried out and moisture removed to prevent specific types of mold from settling down and sending spores into the air.
Experienced professional teams can quickly, efficiently, and effectively do these tasks. If you do need help with your water damage restoration in Tampa, FL, or even mold remediation, we can help. Contact Drywizard Restoration & Drywall Inc. at (813) 684-4800.
