The Importance of Mold Prevention and Remediation in the Fall
Granted, there’s nothing worse than dealing with seasonal allergies like dust, pollen, and worst of all, MOLD! Everywhere you go, at home, outside, or at work, you just can’t get away from it. The itching eyes, coughing, runny nose, and other symptoms are all just too much to bear. How much longer until winter? It’s shocking to even think you’d be asking yourself this question, but if it means the allergies are over, then time can’t go by fast enough.
On the other hand, what you might be shocked to discover, is that there are ways to alleviate these symptoms. Yes! There are mold prevention steps you can take, particularly in the fall in order to put your allergies to rest, so you don’t have to wait until winter (which will come with its own issues).
Issues with Mold
Mold causes a number of issues, particularly in the fall season, including the following:
• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Itchy/watery eyes
• Breathing issues
• Long-term health effects including cancer and asthma
• Structural damage
In addition to these issues, mold is extremely difficult to remove, especially if it has spread to an area larger than 10 feet. Rarely can it be removed using household cleaning products because the fungus attaches itself deep within the pores of building materials, making it difficult to reach. All of the spores and their source must also be removed, or it will grow right back again.
Types of Mold
There are many different types of mold that come in a variety of colors, including white, green, brown, and one of the most toxic, black. These fungi love to thrive in dark, damp areas with an abundant source of cellulose, contained within the porous materials of our homes and buildings.
Common Hiding Areas
Mold can thrive in a number of hidden areas, including the following:
• Basements
• Crawlspaces
• Attics
• Bathrooms
• Underneath floors
• Behind walls
Mold Prevention Steps in the Fall
Because mold is difficult to remove and causes a number of issues, here are some steps to prevent mold in the fall.
1. Rake Leaves
When leaves fall from the trees, moisture from rain creates a perfect hiding spot for mold. As fun as it is to play in piles of leaves, it’s recommended to rake them up and get them out of your yard. For your allergy’s sake, pick them up before the mold starts growing.
2. Clean Your Gutters
Once summer is over, your gutters are most likely filled with debris like sticks, dirt, and leaves that can block water from passing through. They can also harbor moisture, allowing mold to grow and create an even bigger problem.
Cleaning the gutter will be sure to get rid of the debris, prevent mold, and prevent any running water from spilling over and seeping into your foundation. This way you can look forward to springtime with no worries of mold or flooding.
3. Use a Dehumidifier
Fall rainstorms create moisture, which can seep in from the cracks in the windows and doors. You may not even notice that you have mold growing underneath your floors or behind your walls until Christmas time.
Simply turning on a dehumidifier can remove the moisture from the air and structure, eliminating the risk for mold to grow.
4. Get a Professional Air Duct Cleaning
It’s recommended to get an air duct cleaning every 3–5 years from a professional, but with pets, it may be needed more often. All of the dust, dirt, and debris from the summer season is also trapped within the air ducts, creating blockages and triggering allergies for everyone in the home or office. Add moisture to the mixture, and it won’t be long before your HVAC system becomes infected with mold.
You can skip this migraine by having a professional air duct cleaning, or by simply inspecting the condition of your air ducts to prevent a mold problem in the winter.
Mold Inspection in the Fall Time
Mold is never a fun problem to have, but finding and removing it is a lot better than having it remain hidden throughout the winter and wondering why the family or employees are always sick. To be safe, it’s best to have a professional mold inspection in the fall so you can be sure that you have no problems going into the winter.
Once the holidays come around, there will be so much to plan and do that mold removal will be the last thing on your mind. Having it done in the fall, when chances of it invading your home are highest, is best when it comes to protecting your property structure and family.
Mold Remediation Professionals
Most property owners won’t have to worry about mold infecting their property, provided they take the steps listed above, but there is no way to ensure that it won’t happen, just like with water damage. If you do happen to have a case of mold after the inspection, it’s best to hire a professional mold removal contractor. Home remedies are likely not strong enough to eliminate the fungus at its source but hiring professional mold removal contractors can ensure that your problem will be gone by the time they are done.
With years of training and experience, these experts use advanced products and methods in order to contain the mold within the affected area, eliminate it at its source, and apply anti-microbials to ensure that it won’t be returning in the future. Many professionals will also work with your insurance company through the claims process, so you don’t have to worry about extra work involved. Finally, you can look forward to the holidays without having to worry about any mold or allergy issues, giving you complete peace of mind.
About Vince Sandri
Vince Sandri is a content writer and blogger with more than 12 years of experience. His expertise is in creating content related to disaster restoration, including information about preventing and reacting to natural disasters like flooding, water damage, fire and smoke damage, mold growth, storm damage and more.
Vince has been the main contributor to RestorationMasterFinder.com since 2014. Over that time, he has written numerous service pages and blogs for disaster restoration providers featured on RestorationMasterFinder.com. Vince has done extensive research and covered a wide range of topics relating to disaster restoration to help homeowners, business owners, and property managers better protect their property. He understands the problems that disasters like flooding, fire, smoke, and mold can cause as well as the best ways to respond to these issues to limit the damage.
Vince completed his Bachelor of Arts degree at Aurora University and his master’s degree at DePaul University. He has been writing SEO website pages, blogs, and press releases since 2012. Vince is also a musician and can be seen playing in the Chicago, IL area.
