Mold In Your Basement? Here’s How To Identify It
You can sense the musty smell that is associated with damp basements after you have entered a basement that has been flooded or damaged by water. Mold can grow in the right conditions and cause that musty smell. Moldy basements can cause severe health problems, including asthma attacks and sinus infections. 911 Restoration of Central Maryland can help you assess the situation and recommend the best course of action for mold remediation or mold removal.
What’s Mold?
Mold is a natural organism found in all environments. Mold can cause serious health problems if it gets into your basement or home. Mold spreads by mold spores that can be caused by water damage or flooding.
How To Identify If You Have Mold?
Although it is the most straightforward method of identifying mold, mold can infect your home even before you see it. It is important to recognize other signs that mold can infect your home.
- What Does It Smell Like? If something smells moldy it’s probably moldy enough that you can see it.
- Toenails or finger mold: Athlete’s foot, and similar conditions can be caused by sweaty shoes. However, mold can also develop from regular exposure to mold at the home.
- More allergies: Allergies: Mold spores can cause allergies outside of the season.
- More diseases: Sometimes, even non-toxic molds can suppress your immune system and allow viruses or bacteria to infect you more easily
How To Identify Different Mold Types?
Most molds should be removed, although they can be unsightly. It is possible to wait for a few days before any infestations are found. Here’s a list of things to look out for.
- The most dangerous molds are those that have bright colors (usually yellow or red, but also green).
- The mold is still growing if it appears pure white.
- A yellowish or dirty-colored strain may be more dangerous than others. They are either just beginning (good), or have dried out (bad). This is when they spread most.
- Many toxic molds include green-gray, green-blue and green-black. To ensure safety, have them inspected.
- Not all “black mold” is toxic. However, it is better to be safe than sorry. Get your mold checked by a professional.
What To Do If You Find Mold?
There are some things you can do before a professional visits your home. First, turn off all heating and cooling systems that could be spreading mold spores throughout the home. Give the mold professionals a detailed description of the mold and its environment. This will allow them to know what to expect from you and what you should do before they arrive at your house.
You should never attempt to remove mold by yourself. Although every company may have a different procedure, the general process for doing so is the same. To inspect the area, a certified professional will visit your home. The mold type and extent of the spread will be confirmed by testing. Mold-infested areas are cleaned up. However, some mold may remain and need to be removed. A certified mold professional might recommend using an HEPA filter to remove the mold. This will eliminate any airborne mold spores from the area.
911 Restoration of Central Maryland Mold Removal Service
911 Restoration of Central Maryland is equipped to deal with flood, fire, and mold damage. We have many years experience and can help with residential and commercial buildings. We are open 24 hours a days for advice and to help you choose the best course of action. For insurance-covered water damage, we offer free consultations by telephone and on-site inspections. Contact us at (410) 280-7271 for more information.
