Water Damage Mold: How to Prevent & Get Rid of it?

Water damage can be proved very dangerous for floors and walls if it is not fixed early. As a result of water damage, it transforms into the mold. If you will not cure the water damage, then you must deal with the mold. Water damage mold appears in damp places and areas where moisture builds up easily.

Water Damage Mold: How to Prevent and Get Rid of it?

Mold is a type of fungi that mostly grows in areas where the moisture is very high as it is the best place for the mold to grow. If there is a water leak at your home and it does not evaporate completely so the moisture will increase. These circumstances will welcome the water damage mold to grow.

However, you do not need to worry as the water damage mold is not irreparable. In this article, you will read about the prevention measures to get rid of the mold.

How to Prevent Mold After Water Damage?

You can prevent your walls and floor from the growth of mold after water damage. You can do it by yourself, but it is advised to hire technicians as they have the relevant tools and skills.

Hence, they can deal with water damage more efficiently. If you follow the steps given below, then you can prevent mold after water damage.

1. Soak the Water:

   First, you must remove all the water from the damaged area. You can do this with a vacuum cleaner or a mop.

2. Remove the Carpets:

   To remove all germs and contaminants from the surface, remove the carpets from the damaged area.

3. Eliminate Moisture:

   Use a mop to suck water and eliminate moisture.

4. Keep Humidity Level in Check:

   to keep your room safe from mold, make sure to keep the humidity level of the room below 50%.

5. Use a Good Sanitizer:

   Get some sanitizer from the market to keep the room safe from being captured by the mold, once it is completely dried.

How to Get Rid of Mold on Walls?

As already mentioned, you have to prevent the house from mold because it can lead to some big loss. If the mold is present on the walls, then you must do the following to get rid of it.

1. First, you should check the source of water damage. If you can fix it, then you can surely stop further growth of the mold.
2. To cure the mold, you need to first remove all the things that are around it like carpet and furniture, etc.
3. Now use some scrubbing material like bleach with a scrubbing brush. Leave it for few minutes for soft molds but for tough ones you may need more strong chemicals to remove them.
4. After this, dry the walls and check if the mold has been removed entirely or not.

How Fast Does Mold Grow After a Water Leak?

A mold can grow within 24 to 48 hours. It can get into a dangerous situation if you do not cure it on time. Check for the sources and prevent them before the molds grow to a large extent. After the mold’s growth, apply the steps discussed above to remove it.

Does Wet Drywall Always Need to Be Replaced?

No doubt the water can damage the drywall and they lose their structural integrity. In this case, you may need to replace the wall. But it is not the case always. If you take the preventive steps to cure the wet drywalls you will surely get rid of them. You can do it with little effort and by spending some money. If you take the following steps for your wet drywall, then there will be no need to replace it.

1. Check the main point from where the water has started to damage the wall.
2. Install a dehumidifier to suck water and use the fan as support with a dehumidifier.
3. You can also paint the wall if the water damage is not high.

Mold in Carpet From Water Damage:

When water damage occurs, it may reach the carpet of your room as it can prove a perfect environment for the growth of the mold. The soaked carpets can get affected by the water damage and get mold in just 24 to 48 hours.

It is not enough to dry the wet carpet in the air, and you need to take the prevention methods to avoid it. You can detect the carpet for mold. If you feel an unavoidable smell, then it can be a sign of mold on the carpet.

You can also inspect it by yourself and hire a professional for this. But once it has occurred, then you should follow the mentioned steps:

1. Apply baking Soda:

   you can apply baking soda and vinegar on the carpet mold and leave it for one day to easily remove it.

2. Employ a Dehumidifier:

   use a dehumidifier to stop the growth of the mold further.

3. Use Chemicals:

   you can also use some chemicals for scrubbing the mold.

4. Replace the Carpet:

   If the mold has affected the carpet a great deal, then you may need to replace the affected patch of the carpet.

To prevent your carpets from mold, make proper arrangements for drying the carpets after heavy rain or floods.

Water Damaged Ceiling: What Should I Do?

It can be very stressful for a homeowner to face and deal with a water-damaged ceiling. But do not panic as there are solutions for this issue.

If you are having water flooded and cracked ceiling, then you should take the following steps to repair it.

1. To check and deal with the affected area of the ceiling, put the valuables out of the affected area.
2. Put the ceiling off to find out the cause of the leakage.
3. Now repair the source of the water leakage to prevent it from further damage.
4. Dry the area by using a fan. It will lower the humidity level so that it cannot affect the ceiling.
5. In the end, if you want to cure the source of leakage and dry it out, then repair the ceiling. You can replace the affected patch or can refinish it to make it look fresh.

Conclusion:

Anything can be a prey of water damage like carpets, ceiling, walls, and floor. It can convert into a dangerous shape if not fixed on time.

Sometimes, the molds can increase to such an extent, that you may need to replace the area completely. But if you took the actions mentioned in the article, you can prevent the water damage mold as well as get rid of it.