Following the crazy weather stories that pop up everyday on the daily news it seems that flooding disasters are striking almost every community this year. While the immediate danger from a flood disaster is the structural damage that may be caused to your home, the long term challenges from flooding can be just as costly. Once the water has receded and your home has begun to dry-out, mold growth can begin to occur in the first week. The rapid growth and potential for growth of mold is one of the key reasons you likely need professional assistance with properly drying out your home or business following a flooding disaster.

Not a lot of people realize this but mold can be very hazardous to your health. They often thrive in moist and damp environments, which can happen when there is water damage or when a property becomes exposed to water during a flood.

Signs of Mold Growth

If you are unsure of whether or not there is mold in your home or property, here are some indications:

1. You smell a musty odor in one area. This is a very clear sign of mold infestation, and even if they aren’t yet visible, you might want to take a closer look to be sure.

2. You notice an increase in allergy symptoms that were not evident before the flooding took place. Molds can trigger allergic reactions so if there are people around you (including yourself) who are often coughing, getting runny nose, or have red watery eyes then this could mean that mold might be present.

3. You notice mold in one area. When you are able to spot one mold colony, it could mean that there are many others in the room or in the entire house/property.

Risks of Mold Infestation

Mold is toxic. People who get exposed to mold run the risk of developing health problems, including diarrhea, sore throat, nosebleeds, headaches, and dermatitis. There are also severe problems associated with mold, such as pulmonary hemorrhage, damage to the central nervous system, and asthma attacks. If there is black mold, the risks are even more dangerous and fatal.

What You Can Do

Once you observe signs of mold growth, the very first thing you need to do is to conduct a mold testing. There are mold test kits you can avail of that can provide results in as quickly as ten minutes. On the other hand, there is also an option to hire a licensed mold inspector, which is apparently a more reliable and comprehensive option, but the cost of inspection ranges from $200 to $1,000, so you might want to carefully think through this before deciding whether to use DIY or hire a professional.

Getting rid of mold in your home or property is a must if you want to keep yourself and everyone else safe from the health hazards that are brought about by toxic mold. Unfortunately, when flood damage reaches your place, getting rid of the mold and disinfecting the area completely is something you would have to deal with. As a rule of thumb, the sooner you get rid of them, the better.

Author Bio: You can utilize these websites to research more information on mold removal contractors and tips.

Category: Society
Keywords: mold, cleanup, repair, services, water damage