Unresolved Water Issues Can Cause Mold
Posted by
Jason Cash on Wed, Jun 15, 2011 @ 09:02 AM
MOLD- A GROWING CONCERN IN THE SUMMER MONTHS
If you already have a mold problem – ACT QUICKLY.
Storm damage not repaired in a timely manner may lead to mold growing in your walls and sheetrock. The recent storms in the metro Atlanta area may have caused damage to your home. It is important to inspect your roof, siding and gutters, as they all can cause water to sepp into your walls. Damage that is not repaired can lead to mold in the coming summer months.
Mold damages what it grows on. The longer it grows, the more damage it can cause.
Who should do the cleanup?
Who should do the cleanup depends on a number of factors. One consideration is the size of the mold problem. If the moldy area is less than about 10 square feet (less than roughly a 3 ft. by 3 ft. patch), in most cases, you can handle the job yourself, following the guidelines below.
However:
- If there has been a lot of water damage, and/or mold growth covers more than 10 square feet, you should consult with a professional restoration company to do the cleanup. Make sure the contractor has experience cleaning up mold. Check references and ask the contractor to follow the recommendations in EPA’s Mold Remediation guidelines.
- If you suspect that the heating/ventilation/air conditioning (HVAC) system may be contaminated with mold (it is part of an identified moisture problem, for instance, or there is mold near the intake to the system), consult EPA’s guide Should You Have the Air
Ducts in Your Home Cleaned?
Do not run the HVAC system if you know or suspect that it is contaminated with mold – it could spread mold throughout the building.
- If the water and/or mold damage was caused by sewage or other contaminated water, then call in a professional who has experience cleaning and fixing buildings damaged by contaminated water.
- Visit www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs to download a copy of the EPA guide.
IF YOU SUSPECT THAT YOU HAVE A MOLD PROBLEM OR IF YOU HAVE HAD STORM DAMAGE TO YOUR HOME, ORION RESTORATION CAN RUN A MOLD TEST TO MAKE SURE THAT YOUR HOME IS MOLD FREE.
ORION RESTORATION FOLLOWS THE GUIDELINES OF THE EPA.
Courtsey of EPA