Broward Mold Infestations

Residents and business owners from Miami-Dade, Fort Lauderdale, Pembroke Pines, Hialeah, Miami Beach, Coral Springs, Broward County, and Hollywood, FL have learned a painful lesson about living in the region: mold. The entire area provides the perfect environment for mold infestations with its warm weather and high humidity levels.

Why does mold love Broward County so much? Mold is a living organism that needs moisture and food in order to survive. With the high moisture levels present in the Florida area, water does two things. First, it tends to condense within homes. For example, water condensation on the walls or windows is common. Second, it takes longer for water to dry out when the humidity is high, thus condensation remains in place longer, providing an inviting environment for all of those mold spores floating around.

When mold spores find that nice, moist environment, they quickly establish small colonies, eating the materials on which they landed and reproducing. Yes, mold actually digests materials including wallpaper, paint, drywall, carpet fibers, furniture upholstery, clothing, and so on. Not only is the mold unsightly, it is physically devouring your house.

A few dots of mold shouldn’t cause alarm, however, if mold is left untreated, health issues become a major concern. Many people are susceptible to the ill effects of mold exposure. For example, those with asthma or weakened immune systems are vulnerable to mold-related health problems. Some people are even allergic to mold.

Due to the trio of mold concerns (it’s ugly, it’s structurally damaging, and it can cause health problems), controlling mold in Broward County is essential. So, what should you do?

Control Humidity

While you can’t control Broward County’s weather, you can control the interior humidity of your home. Humidity control tips include:

·        Make sure that your dryer is properly vented and not clogged with lint

·        Use a hood vent when cooking to route moisture and water vapor outside

·        Use exhaust fans in the bathrooms

·        Consider installing a humidity control device

Clean Up Existing Mold

If you have small dots of mold, clean them right away, taking precautions such as wearing protective gloves and a mask. However, cleaning mold is only a stop-gap measure. Unless you control the water source that’s attracting the mold, you’ll soon see new spots appear. Find out where the water is coming from and stop it. Common water sources include water leaks, condensation, drips from the air conditioner, and seepage. 

Dry Out the Building

Drying out the building after water damage has occurred or when mold and condensation are present is essential. After all, mold can’t grow if there’s no water to support it. The sooner you can dry out the building, the better. Professional grade blowers provide a fast means of drying out the water damaged home or building. You will need to contract with a water damage specialist to take advantage of this type of equipment.

Prevent Mold

Preventing mold in the first place involves keeping vigilant about keeping your home dry. If a water event such as a flood or plumbing accident has damaged your home in Broward County, a water damage restoration company will help you throughout the entire process – and they will use special products called mold inhibitors to block new mold from establishing itself.