Portland, OR – Steps to Prevent Mold Growth: Advice from a Remediation Company

Are You Looking for The Best Mold Prevention Advice In Portland, OR?

STOP Restoration of Portland provides its customers with the best mold prevention tips in all of Portland, OR.

Water damage is a common issue for older homes in humid locations such as the Pacific Northwest. However, water or excessive moisture can be challenging to remove, especially after a leak or flood, and the resulting damage is sometimes costly to repair. That said, if water damage is left unchecked, it can provide a thriving environment for mold and mildew growth.

Fortunately, homeowners can follow a few tips to stop mold from growing after a flood or leak. Some of these tips are listed below.

Drain Or Remove The Water

The first thing to do after experiencing a water leak is to remove or drain the water that made its way inside your home. This will allow you to assess the damage caused and the steps to follow to dry out moisture-ridden surfaces. In the end, taking immediate action and drying out wet surfaces will drastically reduce the chances of mold growth. An easy way to remove or drain water from your home is to use towels or a wet/dry vacuum.

Remove Damp Flooring Or Carpets

Removing water-damaged flooring or carpets should be one of the first measures after suffering water damage. Doing so will help you prevent mold from growing and spreading. This is especially the case for surfaces like stone tile floors. This type of flooring usually has small grooves where moisture can make its way and become trapped.

Furthermore, due to the moist, warm environment that carpeting offers mold, it can also pose a significant danger for mold growth. So, the best course of action here would be to replace damaged carpeting and flooring as soon as possible.

Install A Dehumidifier

There is no doubt that mold loves a moist, warm environment to grow and spread. One of the most effective methods for preventing mold formation in your house is maintaining low relative humidity. The amount of water vapor in the air compared to the amount it might contain at a specific temperature is known as relative humidity. Environmental Protection Agency advises that you maintain around 60 percent relative humidity inside your house to reduce the chances of mold growth tenfold.

So, to achieve this feat, you can install a dehumidifier in the water-damaged areas. A dehumidifier removes moist, warm air from the environment and replaces it with dry, cool air. As a result, this creates a less thriving environment for the mold to grow and spread.

Disinfect Water-Damaged Surfaces

The first step when water damage occurs is to dry the damaged area and evaluate the damage. However, disinfecting the damaged surfaces is the second but equally important process that removes bacteria and stops additional harm. “Biocides” is a substance that kills microorganisms, such as bacteria and mold. Therefore, consumer-grade disinfectants contain this substance and are usually adequate for eliminating mold.

Where Can I Find the Best Mold Prevention Tips And Advice in Portland, OR?

STOP Restoration of Portland offers homeowners the most effective mold prevention tips and advice in all of Portland, OR. So, let the professionals help you rid your home of mold today!