Preventing Fungi From Growing In Your Walls

What are the consequences of a leaky roof? Maybe you need to put some buckets on the floor to catch the drips, right? We see that all the time in cartoons and other comedy shows. But a bucket isn't going to save you from all the issues a leaky roof will cause. And while it isn't as bad as fire, moisture comes the threat of mold. No one wants those less-than-fun fungi growing in their walls. Here are some words of wisdom:

You can procrastinate about some cleaning tasks, but when it comes to mold, it’s better to take care of it sooner rather than later. Mold can cause health problems and destroy whatever it grows on. The spores of mold fungi commonly float through the air, and when they adhere to damp surfaces and start to grow, they can gradually consume the surface. The key is to get the cleanup done before that happens.

Mold produces allergens that can cause reactions in some people, including hay fever-type symptoms. Even mold treated by a chemical or biocide can still cause allergic reactions, so in addition to killing mold, it also needs be removed, says the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Here’s a look at cleanup tips and how to prevent mold from forming.

Where Mold Is Most Common

A leaky roof or plumbing, flood damage, or indoor humidity that’s too high and without proper ventilation can all lead to mold problems. Unmitigated flood and water damage can lead to mold growth in as little as 24 hours, according to Gold Coast Flood Restorations in San Diego.

Anyplace that remains damp and unventilated is a potential mold-forming zone. “Anywhere water travels” in a structure is vulnerable to mold, says Austin Reid, co-owner of Mold Masters in Southern California.

That includes areas where major plumbing arteries are located, crawl spaces with drains, walls plumbed from bathroom to bathroom and between floors. Incorrectly sealed tubs and faulty construction can cause water to seep in crevices and create big problems over time, Reid says.

Regions where the weather tends to be damp or humid can be mold hot spots — but arid areas are not immune. Buildings that are tightly sealed may lack adequate ventilation, which can lead to moisture buildup, says the EPA.

Mildew is another fungi-produced coating that can form on damp surfaces. Mildew usually grows in a flat pattern and appears powdery and white or gray. Mold is darker in color, usually black or green, and penetrates the surface of what it’s growing on. You may follow the same cleaning steps below to remove mold and mildew.

Via: http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2016/12/15/expert-advice-to-prevent-remove-household-mold/

Put the buckets away and step away from the umbrella. It's bad luck to open one of those inside anyway. If you've got a leaky roof you need to get serious about calling for roof repair: http://sandiego.preciseroofing.net/roof-repair/. Only by repairing the leak can you stop the moisture from coming in! After that's been taken care of it's time to clean up and maybe have an expert take a look if the leak was going on for a long time. Don't find yourself becoming a fungi-farmer by chance.

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