The Sneaky Characteristics of Mold | SERVPRO of Washington County

8/17/2023 (Permalink)

Has your home been impacted by mold? Call SERVPRO of Washington County to restore your home's health!

Being a homeowner is a lot of work, but that work is definitely worth it in the long run. You are constantly running around cleaning, repairing, tinkering and troubleshooting no matter what time of year it is! That’s why it can be easy to overlook seemingly innocuous things such as minor water spots or a humid part of your home that doesn’t ever seem to dry out.

Unfortunately, those unsuspecting places are also where serious mold situations can grow, and they can often become full infestations in a matter of days. If you discover mold in your Hagerstown home, call SERVPRO® of Washington County for immediate assistance. 

Where Does Mold Start Growing?
Mold is basically everywhere all the time. It floats through the air in microscopic spores both indoors and outdoors and can easily transfer back and forth through open windows, vents or air leaks anywhere in your home. 

While it is found everywhere, it doesn’t grow everywhere. Mold only likes to grow in spaces that are dark, moist and a little warm. If a mold spore makes it into an area like that, it can grow into a colony in as little as 48 hours. Common places for infestations tend to be places that have a hard time drying out completely, like your bathroom, attic and crawl spaces. 

How to React When You Discover Mold
Many people’s first reactions are probably along the lines of “ew” followed by a discussion on how to clean it up. We really recommend not disturbing the mold yourself. 

Sometimes mold spores can be dangerous, so it is best to leave it to the professionals to investigate for you. We will determine the type of mold it is and we will also investigate any moisture problems that caused the spores to take hold in the first place. 

We first work to contain the mold and filter the air to get any residual spores out. This also helps remove the odor as mold often produces a musty, earthy smell that can linger even after the mold is gone. Then we will sanitize the entire space to ensure the mold can’t grow back. 

From there, we will work on restoring any possessions that were impacted by the mold. Keep in mind that not everything can be saved once mold starts to grow, but we do our best to restore whatever we can and clean to the best of our ability. Finally, we will seal up any air leaks or gaps that caused the water leak or moisture issue in the first place. 

The Repair Process

Mold has the ability to cause widespread damage in a short amount of time. Coupled with the lingering moisture, mold can degrade beams and internal structures, rust metal and rot wood and other materials in your home. This can sometimes make your living areas unsafe to be in even after the mold is gone. 

We can repair whatever the mold ruined quickly and thoroughly to return your home back to its pre-mold condition. You can count on us when mold is discovered on your property! 

We are ready to help you overcome a mold problem. Contact SERVPRO of Washington County right away.