Mold identification
Discoloration - Mold is accompanied by discoloration. However, discoloration does not necessarily come from mold. Discoloration of carpet near baseboards, for example, can be caused by outdoor pollution. Candle or cigarette smoke can also form soot stains or streaks.
Molds can take on various shades of black, white, red, orange, yellow, blue or purple. Run a drop of bleach on a suspicious stain. If the stain is losing its color or disappearing, it may be mold. If the stain remains, it's not a mold problem.
Odor- Mold is not always apparent. They are often characterized by a musty or earthy smell, but some are odorless. Even if you don't notice any odors, rising water or signs of water infiltration are indicators of humidity and areas of mold growth.
Mold prevention
The best way to prevent mold growth is to control humidity. Mold cannot grow without a source of moisture, so it is imperative to respond to signs of dampness, seepage and water leaks as soon as possible.
Buildings should be inspected regularly for any signs of moisture or mold. Look for water spots or discolorations on the ceiling, walls, floors and windowsills as well as any areas of standing water, puddles or mold around sinks and in bathrooms. Water should not be left behind in air conditioning systems or refrigerator drip trays.
Control humidity levels with adequate ventilation and use air conditioners and dehumidifiers. Reinforce the insulation of cold surfaces (windows, pipes, exterior walls, roofs and floors) to reduce condensation.
In constantly humid places, do not lay carpet.
Immediately clean stains and puddles from floors and carpets, following the manufacturer's recommendations. Use caution to avoid excess moisture or buildup of cleaning residue on floors and carpets. These areas should be dried quickly.
Mold problems and your property insurance
It all depends on the extent of the mold problem in the house. In general, home insurance does not cover mold problems when they are caused by water leaks or infiltration related to poor maintenance of property. When water damage or mold results from a "sudden and accidental" event, such as a broken pipe or backflow, then the mold problems that follow must be taken care of.
Measures to be taken in the event of mold
As soon as a mold problem is observed, it is recommended to use the approved services of a specialist in decontamination and mold cleaning.
In general, these services should include:
complete isolation of the affected area from the rest of the house;
the continuous extraction of contaminated air outside the house;
cleaning of all contaminated surfaces and safe disposal of porous materials;
disinfection without chemicals.
Once cleaning is complete, please inspect the decontaminated areas.
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