What Is a Mold Infestation and How Do You Deal With It?

Like most fungi, molds break down organic material in the environment. They can appear in virtually all areas that contain moisture and animal or plant matter, and have a nasty tendency to infest our homes, damage our belongings, and even make us sick. 

Since mold remediation can cost a pretty penny, property buyers and sellers are highly advised to have houses and apartments tested for mold by a registered mold inspector in San Diego before proceeding with the buying deal or having the place listed on the real estate market. 

Keep reading to learn more about what causes mold infestations and what you can do about them.

What causes molds in the house?

Mold spores are everywhere. Since they can’t thrive in dry and sunny areas, these spores prefer places that are dark, moist, and humid. In most homes, a few mold spots can be found in bathrooms, basement, and kitchen. Apart from looking ugly, these minor mold colonies shouldn’t be harmful to people’s health. 

However, in homes that don’t get enough fresh air, aren’t cleaned properly or regularly, or are located in damp or humid regions, mold can quickly multiply and spread to other parts of the house. If not addressed, these mold infestations can damage both your health and your property. 

Mold infestations can also occur as a result of accidents. Spilling a drink on the carpet or a rug and letting the fabric stay wet for an extended period of time runs the risk of the carpet or rug becoming moldy. Furthermore, any major source of moisture can also cause a mold infestation. 

Common sources of moisture include:

• Damp crawl spaces and basements
• Leaky roofs
• Humidifiers
• Improper or malfunctioning ventilation of cooking and heating appliances
• Outdoor drainage issues
• Condensation on cold surfaces
• Leaking plumbing
• Wet clothes inside the house (indoor drying)
• Water steam from the kitchen or bathroom
• Letting a clothes dryer vent indoors

What do you do if you have mold in your house?

Want to hear something scary? Advanced mold damage can cost as much as $10,000 to fix! As if that wasn’t bad enough, most insurance carriers refuse to cover the cost of mold removal. At the same time, you don’t really have a choice since mold can seriously endanger your health. 

Here’s how to deal with a mold infestation:

• Call in an expert. Unfortunately, if there are already large areas of mold in your house, you’ll likely have to outsource the removal to a specialist.
• Attempt to clean it yourself. If the infestation isn’t extensive, you may be able to stop it from spreading by thoroughly cleaning the surfaces using a diluted bleach solution or an appropriate cleaning product. Try to keep these surfaces as dry as possible in the future. 
• Wipe or wash porous surfaces and check them frequently to make sure the mold hasn’t returned. If mold keeps coming back, it’s best to replace these items. 
• Use antifungal paints and similar products that can prevent or at least make it more difficult for mold to appear in the first place. 

Where can I hire a dependable mold inspector in San Diego?

Are you thinking of purchasing a lovely home in Marston Hills, but you’re concerned it may be suffering from a mold infestation? Or maybe you’ve noticed some strange smells in your house lately, and you suspect mold could be the culprit? 

Whatever your situation may be, don’t hesitate to give the Inspectors Company a call. We specialize in providing the good people of San Diego with the full range of home inspection services, including mold, roofing, pool & spa, sewer line, and septic tank inspections. Contact us today.