If you live in a humid area or just don’t have great ventilation in all parts of your house, mold can more than a pesky annoyances. Not only can this silent intruder be dangerous to the health of anyone who lives in (or visits) your home, it can also cause serious structural damage to the home itself. While most mold infestations can be cleaned up without long-term damage, this isn’t always the case.
There are a number of instances in which merely cleaning the visible mold won’t solve your problem. For one, mold loves drywall because it contains cellulose (this is one of mold’s favorite foods). If mold has made its way under the surface of your drywall, the wall will likely need to be cut out and replaced. The same goes for insulation— that’s why attics are a common breeding ground for mold, especially if they aren’t well-ventilated.
Wood is also an area that can attract mold. If you find mold in your home that won’t wash off of your hardwood floor, you need to call in a specialist. Never sand wood that contains mold growth. The bottom line is that if you can’t clean off the mold from wood, you’ll need to cut out the damaged flooring and replace it with new material.
Preventing Home Damage
Your best bet in preventing the need for a remodel due to mold is to stop the mold infestation before it gets any worse. Sometimes there is a tendency amongst homeowners to think that mold will go away as soon as the weather gets less humid, or that merely spraying the problem area with mold and mildew cleaner will take care of the issue.
Unfortunately, mold removal is usually not this easy. For one, mold can be incredibly resilient. If you have an infestation, it’s very likely that dormant spores on other surfaces in your home are just waiting for the perfect conditions to grow. Secondly, what you can see of an infestation might only be a small part of the problem. It’s very common for there to be more mold growing where you can’t see it. For all of these reasons, it is highly recommended to call a specialist as soon as you suspect mold growing in your home, regardless of how small the issue looks to the naked eye.
Finding a Reliable Mold Removal Specialist
When it comes to the safety and integrity of your home it’s usually best to seek professional help for mold remediation and prevention. Research online to find a qualified mold removal specialist in your area who has a track record of customer satisfaction. If an initial assessment shows that your infestation will require extensive work or remodeling, you may want to get quotes from multiple specialists to ensure the best possible deal. With any luck, your mold specialist will catch any mold growth in its infancy, and be able to deal with it easily. However, if mold does require removing or remodeling parts of your home, the work is best left to a trusted expert.