The 4 Primary Areas in Your Home Where You Will Likely Find Mold Growing after a Flood

Have you recently experienced flooding in your home? Whether it was an accidental leak or a natural disaster, flooding can happen for numerous reasons.  However, once the initial water removal has been completed, do you know the areas within your home where water can linger and eventually lead to the growth of mold? Any damp area in your house is more susceptible to the growth of mildew and mold.

There’s no need to be embarrassed if you don’t as the majority of all Florida homeowners are in the same boat.  The following 4 areas are the ones most likely to harbor mold growth:

• Inside your walls – although your walls may look dry, it doesn’t mean they didn’t soak up a lot of water during the flooding.  Water can easily seep through drywall because of its porosity.  Consequently, mildew often forms and grows in your drywall during the post-flooding period.  In fact, mold growth can start in as little as a couple of days after severe water damage.  So, make sure that a water damage restoration specialist looks insider your walls. The earlier you get it done, the better.

• Throughout your air vents – most individuals don’t think about their air vents because they run inside your walls and underneath your flooring.  In addition to this, vents are manufactured from sheet metal and collect dust which, when combined with humidity and moisture, create the perfect environment for mold to grow in.  Unfortunately, you won’t know mold is growing in your vents until notice a funky odor coming from them when the fan is running.

• Under your cabinets – many of your cabinets were probably manufactured using particle board or wood, materials that are extremely porous and prone to mold growth if it gets soaked during flooding.  Even the smallest amount of moisture can cause mold growth in particle board and wood.  Watch for water dripping from a drain or loose pipe.  If the damage to your cabinets is severe, replacement is advisable.

• Under your flooring – carpeting, throw rugs, and wood flooring are all prone to mold growth if they’ve been exposed to excessive moisture.  Normally, airing your carpeting out occasionally is recommended to prevent the formation of mold.  However, this option may not work if your carpeting was soaked during flooding.  You should speak with a restoration technician about your hardwood or laminate floors.  Some may need to be replaced if the damage is severe enough.

We would like to help you have a secure and clean indoors. Call us today to get a mold inspection done. For more information about mold growth or to schedule a mold inspection, call Florida Inspections Unlimited today at 305-910-1171.