White sand, warm weather and lovely oceans are just a few of the benefits of living in a tropical area like south Florida. However, with that tropical climate come a few definite drawbacks. The high humidity in the South Florida can be a major headache. Mold grows easily in high-humidity areas, and if you ever have a water issue, like a leaky pipe or a minor flood, mold can get established in your home. Mold releases spores as it reproduces. These spores can make your home have a musty, dirty odor. You do not want your home to be a smelly, unpleasant place to be. In south Florida, it is possible to have a fresh, clean-smelling home even in times of high humidity.
Five Steps to a Fresh Smelling Home
1. Mold Removal
Your home will smell bad as long as the mold is growing and reproducing. You need to kill the mold to keep it from spreading. Mold removal can be time-consuming and difficult. Additionally, you may need to get under the house flooring or in the attic to get to all the mold. However, it must be done before your home will be mold-free.
2. Remove Mold-Damaged Materials
Some things just cannot be cleaned properly to get to all of the mold. Soft, absorbent items should be discarded if they get moldy. Furniture and carpeting will never really be mold-free once mold is established on them because they have many layers of fabric, padding and foam. Your homeowner's insurance may be able to help with the cost of replacing them. If you had water damage from a flood, make sure that all of the drywall and wood in the house are completely dry before you wallpaper or put down new carpet.
3. Control The Humidity and Address Leaks
Before you can be assured that the mold will not come back, you should address the problems that caused the mold to begin with. If you have a leaky roof or window that allowed the moisture in the house, you should repair it. If the humidity is too high in the house, get a dehumidifier. Keep the home reasonably cool to inhibit mold growth and help with humid conditions in the house. If you need help with water extraction, professional water damage restoration services will have the equipment that you need to dry out your house quickly.
4. Watch Out for Future Mold Growth
Be vigilant in the future about checking for the return of mold. While you can dry out the home, the spores will still linger for awhile waiting for a chance to reestablish a colony. Keep your eyes open for future mold growth, so you can address it while it is small. You can use bleach and water for mold removal in small spots. If you have another instance of flooding, clean it up as quickly as possible. Quick water removal is key to keeping mold in check.
5. Do Not Use Chemical Air Fresheners to Camouflage Odors
You do not have to rely on chemical air fresheners and scented candles to have a clean-smelling home. In fact, constantly using these products can give you a false sense of security as they camouflage the odor of a thriving mold colony. When your home is dry and mold-free, you will not need to rely on these air-fresheners.
Five Steps to a Fresh Smelling Home
1. Mold Removal
Your home will smell bad as long as the mold is growing and reproducing. You need to kill the mold to keep it from spreading. Mold removal can be time-consuming and difficult. Additionally, you may need to get under the house flooring or in the attic to get to all the mold. However, it must be done before your home will be mold-free.
2. Remove Mold-Damaged Materials
Some things just cannot be cleaned properly to get to all of the mold. Soft, absorbent items should be discarded if they get moldy. Furniture and carpeting will never really be mold-free once mold is established on them because they have many layers of fabric, padding and foam. Your homeowner's insurance may be able to help with the cost of replacing them. If you had water damage from a flood, make sure that all of the drywall and wood in the house are completely dry before you wallpaper or put down new carpet.
3. Control The Humidity and Address Leaks
Before you can be assured that the mold will not come back, you should address the problems that caused the mold to begin with. If you have a leaky roof or window that allowed the moisture in the house, you should repair it. If the humidity is too high in the house, get a dehumidifier. Keep the home reasonably cool to inhibit mold growth and help with humid conditions in the house. If you need help with water extraction, professional water damage restoration services will have the equipment that you need to dry out your house quickly.
4. Watch Out for Future Mold Growth
Be vigilant in the future about checking for the return of mold. While you can dry out the home, the spores will still linger for awhile waiting for a chance to reestablish a colony. Keep your eyes open for future mold growth, so you can address it while it is small. You can use bleach and water for mold removal in small spots. If you have another instance of flooding, clean it up as quickly as possible. Quick water removal is key to keeping mold in check.
5. Do Not Use Chemical Air Fresheners to Camouflage Odors
You do not have to rely on chemical air fresheners and scented candles to have a clean-smelling home. In fact, constantly using these products can give you a false sense of security as they camouflage the odor of a thriving mold colony. When your home is dry and mold-free, you will not need to rely on these air-fresheners.
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