MOLD. Not afraid? Well, it’s time you learn a thing or two.

Sorry this photo is so disgusting... but mold is never attractive.

Mold is gross. We see it mostly on old bread. But what makes mold bad news? Well, if you have an outbreak like in the photo to the right, things get expensive really fast. Let’s take a minute to understand what we are dealing with.

Mold can be caused by…

• Poor attic ventilation or vents exhausting into the attic
• Chimney leakage
• Improper air conditioning installation
• Improper installation of attic insulation
• Weatherproofing of doors/windows
• Improper installation of shower stalls
• Water intrusion through exterior walls
• Basement drainage problems

Mold’s favorite place to hang out is…

• Under sinks & Around showers and tubs
• Under and behind washing equipment
• Under and behind refrigerators
• Behind and below water heaters
• Around the perimeter of the basement & structure
• In crawl spaces
• Above ceiling tiles
• Walls around windows/doors

How to kick Mold to the curb…

• Fix leaks and seepage issues
• Ventilate your crawl-spaces; Actually ventilate everything else properly too
• Use exhaust fans to ventilate appliances like your dryer or rooms like the bathroom and kitchen
• Use dehumidifiers and air conditions to reduce the moisture in the air
• Leave doors in your home open so air can move freely. Keep some windows open so air can also flow out.

So Mold is in my house… what do I do?

• Clean up visible mold.
• Replace the board and fix the water problem.
• Remove visible mold with soapy water, dry thoroughly and repaint.
• As long as you’ve fixed the water issue, the mold will not come back.
• If there is excessive mold, you have to bring in the professionals.

(SOURCE: SERVPRO)