Step 2: Mold Prevention

According to a 2022 report, around 70% of U.S. homes contain mold. Mold can also be found in 85% of commercial and office buildings and 18% of schools. Each year mold destroys more wood than all fires and termites combined. Taking into account these statistics, is it any wonder that if you go to the time and effort to treat the mold in your property, then mold prevention is extremely important?

At Mold Act, our certified mold specialists know that moisture control is the key to preventing mold re-growth. When you eliminate the moisture source, you eliminate the possibility of more mold in the future.

Why Is Mold Prevention Important?

Mold is a fungus whose job is to decay and destroy organic matter. Mold is found both indoors and outdoors, and exposure to some degree of mold is unavoidable. As mold feeds on and breaks down organic materials, structural damage can occur. The entire mold treatment process will not be successful in preventing mold from coming back if steps are not taken to repair the issues that allowed mold to grow there in the first place, namely water. So if the area is still wet, or still likely to become wet again, it will only take 24 to 48 hours for mold to start growing again.

The professionals at Mold Act understand that preventing the recurrence of mold from the same source of moisture is the only right way to do mold treatment. Otherwise, it will almost certainly return, and quickly, too!

What Kind of Equipment Is Used to Prevent Mold?

Mold experts use the following equipment to evaluate the moisture situation in a structure and to address the moisture to prevent mold from returning after treatment.

Hygrometers: A hygrometer is an instrument used to measure relative humidity, or the amount of water vapor in the air. A safe relative humidity percentage in the home should be somewhere in the 40%-50% range. Increased humidity indoors can point to a persistent moisture problem that needs to be addressed.

Dehumidifiers: As water dries from a spill or a leak, it evaporates into the air, where it increases the relative humidity. Even with a reasonable amount of ventilation, the humidity can hang around long enough to encourage mold growth. A dehumidifier will help remove water from the air so that wet or moist materials can dry more rapidly.

HEPA Air Scrubbers: These machines can trap up to 99.97% of dust, mold spores, bacteria, and pollen in the air. This is useful for reducing excessive mold spore density in the air during the mold treatment process.

What is Included in Mold Prevention?

A primary aspect in preventing mold growth is to find the mold's source of moisture. Until a mold spore lands on a damp or wet organic material, it will not grow and spread. When mold is discovered growing in your home, the source of the moisture feeding the mold must be identified, like a broken pipe, storm damage, or dampness in the basement or attic.

Whatever the problem was that let moisture run loose indoors should then be repaired, to ensure it won't happen again. This could be calling a plumber to repair a leak, having the roof repaired, or any other required maintenance. Mold Act experts will make sure that any areas or items that are damp or even wet will be dried as quickly as possible. It is critical that moisture levels be returned to acceptable levels to prevent the mold from returning.

Once the drying has been completed, the affected areas need to be re-inspected by our team. This will verify that the environment has been returned to normal so that replacement of damaged items can begin. Replacement before re-testing can result in a repeated mold infestation in the near future.

Advice from Our Techs on How to Prevent Further Mold Growth

Our Mold Act technicians give the following advice about preventing mold from growing and thriving in your home:

• Maintain humidity levels at 50% or slightly less. Higher than this can promote mold growth, though too low can promote dangerous static buildup.
• Allow air to circulate freely throughout your home. Use exhaust fans in bathrooms and while cooking in the kitchen.
• Make sure clothes dryers are vented to the outside air.
• Fix any leaks in roofs, walls, or plumbing fixtures as quickly as possible.
• Clean and dry areas that have become wet or flooded.
• Don't leave piles of wet towels or clothes lying around in the bathroom or the laundry room.

What happens when the source of the moisture is not fixed?

Mold treatment processes are very good, but they can't change the laws of nature. If the source of the moisture is not eliminated as part of mold treatment, then it will only take 24 to 48 hours for mold to start growing again once the moisture returns.

In addition to the additional damage that the property would sustain and the additional money that would need to be spent to repair it, the EPA states that exposure to damp, moldy environments can cause a variety of adverse health effects. As long as moisture allows mold growth, you risk health concerns as well.

Why Use Professional Mold Treatment Services?

Many people assume that they can perform mold treatment on their own. They reach for ordinary household cleaning products or bleach and think that simply cleaning the moldy areas will kill the mold and solve their problem. This is so far from the truth it is scary.

It is not easy to eliminate mold. The mold you see is never all the mold that is there. Mold hides inside wall cavities, under flooring, in the attic, any place that is dark and damp. Mold spores cannot be seen by the naked eye and can easily become airborne a spread throughout your home when disturbed. Certified pros know this and take precautions to control the spread of mold and mold spores.

There is no substitute for professional mold assessment, training, and procedures. The certified technicians at Mold Act have received specific education and rigorous hands-on training to safely and successfully treat mold. They have the equipment necessary to detect hidden mold. They begin the treatment process by preventing the mold's spread. They then remove the mold completely, not just kill it (the EPA reports that dead mold spores can still be harmful to human health), and through clearance testing, certify that the mold issue has been successfully resolved. By doing it right the first time, our professional mold treatment technicians will end up saving you time and money.

What Comes After Mold Prevention?

Once the moisture problem has been corrected and excess water has been dried, the containment of the mold is the next step. It is extremely easy to allow mold spores to spread and a professional treatment company knows the best procedures to prevent this from happening.

Get Expert Mold Treatment Services from Mold Act

When you contract with the professionals at Mold Act, 877-660-0430, you can be assured of receiving the proper assessment and treatment of any mold problem. Our technicians undergo continuous training to remain current with the industry's best procedures for completely eliminating mold infestations. They understand what is required to maintain a safe environment during the mold treatment and have access to the most advanced equipment available to get the project completed successfully.

Don't wait, your mold problem will only get worse!