Why is Mold Such a Big Problem in Florida? - Escarosa

You want the best for your home or condo. You decorate it, maintain it, and do your best to repair problems as they occur. Unfortunately, one sneaky problem affects many Florida homeowners without their knowledge – mold.

Mold loves heat and humidity. Since Florida is both, homes and condos in Florida are at increased risk for mold growth.

In this blog, we’ll break down everything you need to know about mold in Florida: how to spot it, what causes it, where it grows, what to do about it once you find it, and why hiring an accredited mold removal team is so critical to the wellbeing of your home and family.

Let’s dive in.

First Things First: What is Mold?

Mold is part of the natural world. A fungal growth that develops on damp or decaying organic matter, mold spores are all around us at all times – indoors and outdoors. In fact, mold exists in all climates, during all seasons throughout the year.

In the outdoors, mold serves an essential purpose: by forming on organic matter, mold breaks down fallen leaves, wood, and other natural materials and returns them to the environment, releasing their carbon and other essential compounds.

Indoors, however, mold can cause a problem.

In most cases, excessive moisture is the underlying cause of indoor mold growth. Mold spores float through the air until they find an ideal habitat to settle and take root.

In Florida, homes that have experienced previous water damage or have high indoor humidity levels are vulnerable to mold growth. When mold develops, it can quickly take over and destroy wood, drywall, and other building materials.

Some types of mold are toxigenic, meaning they produce mycotoxins that can make people sick. Respiratory symptoms like sneezing, wheezing, coughing, or new or worsening asthma are the most common signs of toxic mold exposure.

How to Recognize Mold in the Home

Want to spot mold in your condo or home? Look for these signs:

• A damp, musty smell. Mold and decay go hand in hand. You may notice a damp or musty smell in your home, especially in areas at high risk for mold, like bathrooms or basements.

• New or worsening asthma or allergy symptoms. Are your sinuses bothering you? If so, mold could be the problem. Symptoms like sneezing, coughing, fatigue, or a runny nose could indicate mold in the home.

• Discoloration on the walls. Warped wallpaper, bubbling paint, or slight spotting on drywall are all signs of mold growth.

• Previous water damage. Has your home experienced flooding, leaky pipes, or water damage? If so, it’s at high risk of developing mold. Unless water damage is adequately dried and remediated, it could create the ideal environment for mold and mildew to form.

How to Prevent Mold

Now that you know how to identify mold let’s talk about how to prevent it. Here are our top tips:

• Decrease indoor humidity. Keep your home’s humidity levels as low as possible. The CDC recommends keeping them below 50% all day long. Both air conditioners and dehumidifiers will keep indoor humidity levels low, and a store-bought humidity meter will help you track humidity levels in your space.

• Promote airflow. Keep air moving by using exhaust fans to vent high-moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms, ensuring clothes dryers vent outside the home, and using ceiling and standing fans to keep air circulating during the day.

• Fix leaks promptly. Leaks in your home’s roof, plumbing, and walls can cause mold growth. Since mold growth can begin in just 24-48 hours of water damage, it’s essential to fix these leaks promptly.

• Add mold inhibitors to indoor paint. Are you painting a wall? Add a store-bought mold inhibitor to the color first. These mold inhibitors are available at most home improvement stores.

• Clean up water spills promptly. Kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms are all high-moisture areas, and spills happen! When they do, it’s important to clean them up quickly. For example, splashes from doing the dishes or water sloshed out of an over-filled bathtub can quickly seep into drywall, floors, and other building materials, causing mold and mildew growth. To prevent this outcome, clean up the spill immediately and use indoor fans to promote drying in the area.

How to Remove Mold From Your Home

While preventing mold is easier than removing it, prevention isn’t always possible. If you’ve found mold in your home or condo, you’re probably wondering what to do next.

While it may be possible to remove small patches of mold (on bathroom tile or grouting, for example) on your own, most mold remediation requires the help of professionals.

Here’s why:

Mold and mildew contain toxins and can cause health problems. As a layperson, you likely don’t have the equipment, tools, or experience required to remove mold safely.

Additionally, good mold remediation requires removing all mold in an area. If you leave even a tiny spot behind, the mold will just regrow rapidly, furthering your mold problem and putting the rest of your household at risk.

Fortunately, professional, accredited mold specialists have the skills and expertise to provide comprehensive, complete mold remediation and help restore your space to a healthy, livable condition.

Mold is Such a Big Problem, but we Provide the Solution for Florida Homeowners

The Sunshine State is a great place to live, work, and play, and we all love the great weather Florida offers. Unfortunately, all of that heat and humidity, combined with rain, damp ocean air, and extreme weather events, create the perfect environment for mold growth.

If your home or condo has an existing mold infestation, you need professional help – fast!

Fortunately, Escarosa Cleaning and Restoration is here for you.

Our team is committed to providing comprehensive, complete, expert mold remediation and keeping you and your family safe and healthy.

As an accredited mold removal specialist, you can trust us to use best-in-class tools, techniques, and products to remove mold and help you get life back to normal.

Ready to learn more about our team or how we can help you? Contact us today!