Florida’s warm and moisture-rich climate is a natural breeding ground for dangerous mold, which can cause serious health problems and structural damage to your home. Visible water damage can also lead to deadly black mold before you know it! Fortunately, our team at A-1 Tropic Painting & Waterproofing is here to help! We’re your headquarters for waterproofing in South FL, and we’re always a phone call away when you need help with water damage or need a quote for commercial flooring or epoxy flooring! Here’s a quick look at how you can keep your family safe from a dangerous mold outbreak.
What Is Mold?
Mold is a fungus that develops in moist and humid areas, which are plentiful in Florida. You might begin to see fuzzy or slimy gray patches developing on walls, rooflines, soffits, and fascia that don’t properly dry after it rains. You can also commonly find mold under your sink, in your basement or crawlspace, or behind your drywall. Black mold is the most dangerous variety, but all mold releases spores that can cause health problems. Prolonged mold exposure causes numerous long-term health hazards, and untreated water damage can put your home’s structural integrity at risk!
Does Water Damage Always Cause Mold?
Any time that you have standing water, you can count on mold developing almost immediately. Mold develops all year long and thrives on organic material, oxygen, and moisture. You’ve already witnessed how quickly a loaf of bread or an old piece of fruit can get moldy, and the same thing can happen just as easily with your structural wood. If you have visible wood rot, you need to fix it right away and apply a fresh coat of paint. In addition to keeping mold from spreading to the wood underneath, painted wood can also discourage termite activity. You need to also identify and deal with the source of moisture or poor drainage to prevent further water damage and mold development.
How Can You Prevent Mold in Your Home?
Mold removal isn’t a DIY project, and if you have a persistent mold problem you could cause more harm than good by attempting to remove the mold on your own. Attempting to spray the mold away with a hose can propagate mold by spreading the dangerous spores, aerating them, and giving them plenty of fresh moisture. You also won’t be able to locate mold in your drywall and underneath your flooring. If you can smell mold but don’t see it, it’s probably time to contact a mold removal specialist.
A-1 Tropic Painting & Waterproofing is your specialist for waterproofing in South FL! We can help you deal with stubborn mold and color your home with a fresh coat of paint! Contact us online or give us a call at (888)367-2706 to schedule a service appointment, or for more information about commercial flooring or epoxy flooring in South Florida!