Did you just notice mold on your kitchen sink or bathroom tiles? Well, the chances are that a water leak has damped the space promoting this nasty infestation.
When water starts pooling at particular places in your home, it initiates mold and mildew formation. Optimum temperature, humidity, and oxygen help this fungus grow massively.
Mold does not stop proliferating until physically removed. It grows bigger and larger in the presence of moisture, soon turning your cozy room into a colony of fungus.
Thus, if you notice mold in your home, you should take prompt action to eliminate it. For your convenience, we have enlisted some tips you can apply when you find mold after water damage.
1.Stop Water Leakage Issues
Though most of you know this, water might continue to pool if a leak is not repaired correctly, leading to mold formation. Thus, you should immediately look into the matter if you encounter leakage in sinks, bathrooms, or ceilings.
To repair it, turn off the water and stop its flow from the pipe leak. And to do so, you must shut off the valve below the shower, toilet, and sink.
Once the water gets cut off, it becomes easy to look for the leak. Once the leak is located, you can repair it yourself or seek professional help if the leakage is large.
However, after repair, make sure to check the leak regularly. If you see signs of water again, contact your plumber and get it fixed as soon as possible.
2.Clean Visible Mold Immediately
Mold possesses the ability to grow in any damp location, starting from your bathroom tiles to your sink areas.
Hence, whenever you see even smaller fungal blotches, immediately scrub them off with detergent and water to let the surface dry completely.
Also, you can use a bleaching solution to clean mold by mixing 10% bleach and 90% water. Spray the mix in affected areas and rinse it off.
However, in case of heavy infestation, you should contact a professional Edina water damage restoration company for an effective mold remediation process. They will perform complete water damage restoration to eradicate the root cause of mold and mildew formation.
3.Use Mildewcide
Mildewcide is effective in controlling mold on affected surfaces. This chemical depletes the source of oxygen for the fungus without coming in direct contact with the affected surface.
The chemical reaction breaks down the surrounding molecule chain of moisture and removes oxygen from it. This stops mildew from forming as the oxygen level is degraded.
However, there are specific regulations for using this chemical. So, it is recommended to seek help from a professional who can ensure that only EPA-approved mildewcides are used.
4.Control the Indoor Moisture Level
Dampness causes mold or mildew to multiply at a high rate. Thus, controlling the moisture level in your home is crucial to prevent its growth.
This fungus infestation mainly occurs in places that can retain moisture, such as roof attics, kitchens, or bathrooms. The issue aggravates further when water pools in these areas due to poor drainage.
So, to control indoor moisture, you must keep such spaces dry by ventilation. The following are some ways through which you can do so.
5.Use Dehumidifiers
A dehumidifier is an air conditioning device that reduces and maintains air humidity levels.
These systems combine dehumidification with cooling. They suck in the warm indoor air and pass it through cooling coils. It reduces the temperature of the air below the dew point, draining the water that condenses out of it.
You can keep the indoor humidity level down to 50% by operating dehumidifiers regularly.
6.Use Exhaust Fans
An exhaust fan is primarily used in bathrooms and kitchens. The vents of an exhaust fan work by drawing moisture from the air and sending it out, preventing the growth of mold.
There are various types of exhaust fans available that you can install depending on the size of the room. CFM, which is the cubic feet per minute count on the fan, will tell you whether it will be suitable for your space.
To calculate the strength of your fan, multiply the square footage of your room by 1.1 if it’s an 8-foot ceiling or 1.5 for a 9-foot ceiling.
Apart from these solutions, you can also prevent indoor moisture by routing away the water, especially from the foundation.
7.Squeegee Your Shower After Bath
Though it might be an annoying task, bathroom squeegees play an important role in controlling mold.
After taking a bath, run the squeegee on your shower walls and door. It helps reduce the moisture level in the space.
If you still see water dripping from the door or window, apply the squeegee again and dry it with a towel to stop condensation. However, even after implementing this method, if you face a severe condensation problem, you need to have window insulation.
8.Get the Excess Water Pumped Out From the Sink
Do not always wait for the plumber to repair the kitchen sink’s pipe leak.
Instead, as an initial measure, get the excess water out of the sink to prevent extravagant damage from the leakage. If the kitchen sink remains clogged for a long time, the water seeps down through the walls causing mold to form on the sink shelves.
You can also shut off the main water valve to the house and start pumping out the water from the sink. Moreover, you can use a plunger to drain out the water.
9.Wash Rugs and Curtains Regularly
Post water damage, there is an increase in the moisture level of the entire space. And curtains, rugs, and towels are some of the sweetest spots where mold can grow.
So, make sure to wash these items regularly. Cleaning them at least once a week is enough to prevent mold formation.
However, if you do not possess a washable curtain liner, ensure to change the curtains frequently.
End Thoughts
Mold formation is a nuisance, especially after water damage. But removing the excess water or moisture from the space is the only way to hinder its growth. You can also prevent mold by installing drywall and wall vapor barriers before water damage as a protective measure.
However, it is always better to consult water damage restoration professionals in case of large-scale infestations.
