MOLD PREVENTION

To prevent mold growth, obviously the first step is to prevent or clean up leaking water, but the second most important issue is relative humidity. Relative humidity over 60 percent is conducive to mold growth. Just add a medium such as clothing, carpet, wood or paper and mold can rapidly grow and multiply. A dehumidifier is the first remedy for controlling humidity. Almost as important though is ventilation. A mold inspector looks closely at areas of a building or home like bathrooms, kitchens and laundry to see if they have adequate ventilation. If an area has moist, stagnant air, it almost certainly has mold growing.

Mold begins forming in 24-48 hours under the right conditions. If a home or business is flooded or experiences a water leak, for example from a burst pipe, a mold inspection should be conducted as soon as possible. Once mold takes hold it seeps into nooks and crannies, gets behind walls, penetrates into the foundation and spreads everywhere it can. Standing water is a health hazard for many reasons but in particular because of mold growth.

Mold can lie dormant waiting for the right conditions of humidity and moisture. Your home or business might not have a problem right now, but the potential could be there, so even if you don't smell or see mold, a mold inspection still might be wise.

Mold prevention comes down to three factors: standing water, humidity and ventilation. Obviously it is better to prevent than to clean up.

If you suspect that you have a mold problem and need remediation, call Strictly Business Mold Inspection. Strictly Business serves Brooklyn and Staten Island in New York, and in New Jersey, the cities and towns of Princeton, New Brunswick, Ocean City, Atlantic City, Belmar, Camden, Manasquan, Trenton, Point Pleasant and Morristown, among others. Mold inspection services are also provided in the Philadelphia area.