Because molds are a natural part of our environment and their spores are literally everywhere, those mold spores themselves are impossible to avoid in Sedgwick, Kansas. But none of those spores will grow without water or moisture. However, there are many times when excess moisture or water has a way of making it into our homes without our knowledge or during an emergency situation like flooding or a water pipe breaking or leaking.
SO LET’S SAY THIS UNFORTUNATELY HAPPENS (AND UNFORTUNATELY IT DOES AT TIMES). WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
The next steps will take on a circumstantial approach to the issue that has occurred. But in any kind of water event such as flooding or pipe breaking, it becomes necessary and urgent to have the water removed and everything completely dry within 24-48 hours. Mold can begin to grow within 24-48 hours, so it’s critical to get this done in that time frame, if possible. In certain circumstances you may be able to take care of the water damage, but it may be that other circumstances will require help from a professional water loss/removal company in Sedgwick, Kansas.
At times getting the water removed within 24-48 hours is not possible, though, because there is an emergency situation. Because of that emergency, neither the homeowner/tenant nor a professional water loss company can get into the home in Sedgwick, Kansas during that time frame, and mold may have a chance to grow. There are signs to watch out for that would indicate mold has started to grow.
Signs of mold growth:
- Musty, stale mildew smell
- Stains or discoloration on carpet
- Frequent or consistent asthma or allergy flare-ups
- Persistent cold or cough, flu-like symptoms
- Discoloration on furnishings
- Warped or bubbled painting on walls
- Peeling wallpaper
- Discoloration or spots on the walls
- Musty, weird smell coming from air conditioner and heater
If you begin to notice these signs, it is likely that mold has begun to grow. But there are solutions to this problem.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU FIND MOLD
When it comes to mold in Sedgwick, Kansas, it really can depend on the circumstances whether cleaning it yourself is a good idea or not. Circumstances that would impact whether to clean mold yourself would include the extent of the mold contamination, where the mold is located, and other factors.
The EPA states that 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 – but there are instances where even that is not recommended. First, though, if the size of the moldy area is less than stated by the EPA and you decide to clean it yourself, there are some basic steps recommended by the EPA for mold clean up in Sedgwick, Kansas. Again, with each situation there are going to be details that will differ. It is best to research your particular situation through the EPA or CDC website and see their recommendations before doing any cleanup on your own.
The following are steps recommended by the EPA:
- Fix leaks and other water problems as soon as possible. Dry all items completely.
- Scrub mold off hard surfaces with detergent and water, and dry completely.
- Absorbent or porous materials may have to be thrown away if they become moldy. Mold can grow on or fill in the empty spaces and crevices of porous materials, so mold may be difficult or impossible to remove completely. So discarding and throwing away those materials becomes imperative.
- Avoid exposing yourself or others to mold by using personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, goggles, n95 respirator, and other necessary equipment to keep yourself and others safe.
There are many situations where it is highly recommended that mold cleanup be done by professionals. For example, if the type of mold is highly toxic or the water intrusion that occurred was caused by sewage or gray water for instance–these types of scenarios would require the help of a mold remediation professional in Sedgwick, Kansas.
SO YES, WHAT IF THE JOB IS TOO BIG OR YOU DON’T FEEL COMFORTABLE
If either of these scenarios is the case, it is time to call a professional mold remediation company in Sedgwick, Kansas. And at times this is truly the best choice, especially when the mold contamination covers a large area or it involves areas that would be very difficult to clean like an HVAC unit. A mold remediation company will be able to perform a mold inspection to check your home for mold that is both visible and hidden. With that knowledge they will also be able to recommend what mold remediation work needs to be done as well as perform that mold remediation work safely and effectively.
If you find yourself in a position where you are trying to decide if you are going to clean up some mold yourself or if you’d rather have a mold remediation company come in and help, FreshCo Cleaning and Restoration can help. We perform mold inspections in Sedgwick, Kansas, that will be followed by a report which will detail the findings of the technician as well as any recommendations. With those recommendations, you may have a better idea if the mold cleanup is something you can do or if help is needed. FreshCo is willing and ready to help–give us a call today!
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“FreshCo worked for my parents after we discovered a large amount of mold spreading due to a crack in our tile shower floor. They were thorough, communicated in detail with my parents, and worked well as a team to complete the tear out and remodel on time with their estimates. I would most definitely recommend this company and hope to hire them again in the future.”
— Jenna H. in Wichita, Kansas
