Protect Your Home This Winter
Expert Mold Prevention and Water Damage Solutions in Snohomish County
When winter arrives in Snohomish County, water damage and mold aren’t far behind. PureDry is here to help you stay ahead of the curve—when you take active steps to avoid mold damage, you avoid the health defects and structural weaknesses that come with it.
If mold catches you off guard, don’t worry—Pure Dry’s mold removal specialists are available and ready to help 24/7.
Have an Emergency? Call Now!
Clean Up & Prevent Mold in Your Home
What Is Mold?
Mold is a fungus that grows in damp conditions. It often appears with mildew, spreading spores throughout your indoor environment. Mold can also grow on food products, but the real dangers lie in structural mold damage.
Understanding Conditions for Mold Growth in Winter
Winter is Snohomish’s wet season, bringing heavy rain and snow with it. More rain and snow means more opportunity for water damage and mold growth. Cracks in your foundation or openings in your doors and windows can allow excess water to slip indoors.
How Does Mold Grow in My Home?
Mold comes from water damage, often appearing 24 to 48 hours after an area becomes wet. Water damage and mold go hand in hand, but another necessary condition is high indoor humidity. A humid, low-light, wet area is a perfect place for mold to grow, which is why basements are often ground zero for mold damage.
Where Can I Find Mold in My Home?
Mold damage is most commonly found in crawl spaces, walls, basements, and places prone to leaks. Mold can technically grow anywhere inside your home, but it thrives in areas with high humidity and little sunlight.
How Do I Know If I Have a Mold Problem?
Mold loves to hide, but with a little detective work, you’ll be able to find mold damage before it’s too late. Water damage and mold often hide within walls, but musty, damp smells often reveal the source. If certain parts of your home feel more humid than others, you’ll want to inspect corners and low-light areas for any mold growth.
If mold is out in the open, you’ll be able to smell and see it. Mold has a fuzzy texture and pungent stench, often being colored green, red, or black.
How Can I Control or Prevent Mold From Growing in My Home?
If you control your home’s indoor environment, you have a stronger chance of controlling and preventing mold growth. Using dehumidifiers in at-risk areas like basements will lessen the effects of water damage and mold growth, but beyond that, your best bet is to seal any areas prone to outdoor water intrusion. This applies to old doors and windows that let water inside or fog up from condensation.
How Do I Clean up Mold in My Home?
It’s best to leave mold cleanup to mold damage restoration companies like PureDry. A serious mold problem requires hazard gear, commercial-grade drying equipment, dehumidifiers, and specialized disinfectants.
Since mold eats at structural materials, your home may have suffered property damage. PureDry’s mold damage experts can inspect your home for structural damage and restore the damaged materials if necessary.
Minor mold and mildew growth can be addressed with household disinfectants, sponges, and warm water, but you will need to properly dry the area afterward. Be sure to wear protective eye and hand gear if you attempt to clean up mold.
How Am I Exposed to Mold and What Are the Health Effects?
Mold is a fungus, so it spreads via airborne spores. These spores can be ingested by humans.
Negative health effects include:
- Prolonged headaches
- Lung problems
- Fevers
- Rashes
- Worsening of allergies
Have an Emergency? Call Now!
Why Does Mold Grow On Windows and What Can Be Done About It?
When an indoor environment meets an outdoor environment, an imbalance is created. In some cases, this imbalance takes the form of mold damage. Let’s take a closer look at how mold from water damage becomes stuck on windows.
Causes of Mold on Windows
When warm air meets cold air, condensation is created. This layer of moisture provides the right environment for mold growth.
If your windows have gaps or cracks in them, condensation can occur regularly. When condensation appears around the clock, your home’s risk of mold damage skyrockets.
Preventing Bacterial Growth on Windows
If you regulate your indoor humidity and fill window gaps and cracks, you limit mold’s opportunities for growth. Using dehumidifiers or increasing circulation with fans can help with this. It’s also a good idea to inspect your windows regularly, opening them on mild days to let fresh air inside.
Health Concerns With Mold Exposure
Prolonged mold exposure leads to several health issues, namely respiratory issues. People with allergies or sensitivities may experience worsened asthma, respiratory infections, brain fog, and persistent coughs.
When mold is in your home, you’re constantly at risk for health defects. Contaminated air will lower your quality of life and make you spend unnecessary money on medical bills.
The Importance of Moisture Control
Proper moisture control can help you avoid mold damage altogether. Most mold damage is preventable, especially when you catch issues early. By proactively installing dehumidifiers or sealing at-risk areas, you can avoid mold damage repair costs and persistent health issues.
Tips To Prevent Mold Growth in Winter
Here are a few ways you can avoid mold growth, along with its structural damages and health hazards, this winter:
- Keep indoor humidity between 35% and 45% if possible.
- Regularly clean your ductwork and air filters.
- Check your basement and appliances for pools of standing water.
- Place dehumidifiers in at-risk areas.
Trust PureDry With Repairing Mold & Air Quality During Winter
When water damage enters your home, it’s important to act fast. Mold can grow 24 to 48 hours after water damage, compromising your home’s structural integrity and your family’s respiratory health. We also service businesses, offering commercial mold removal services and commercial water removal services.
PureDry is Snohomish’s trusted mold damage repair service, responding 24/7 to save homes and businesses from disaster. We use advanced equipment and restoration methods to provide the area’s most dependable water extraction and mold damage services.
Amid all the rain and snow this winter, it’s important to have a game plan in case your home suffers water damage. For all your water damage needs, PureDry is available and happy to help.
- 24/7 Availability: We’re available round-the-clock to respond promptly to flood water emergencies.
- Professional Services: Our experienced team is trained to handle floodwater removal and restoration with expertise.
- Areas Covered: From basements to attics, walls, floors, and HVAC systems, we address flood damage in all areas of your property.
- Thorough Restoration: We ensure thorough cleanup and restoration to minimize the long-term impact of flood water damage.
Contact Us Now
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