Nashville is hot. Nashville is humid. Those are two truths that can’t be denied from spring until fall. If you have experienced water intrusion, it’s crucial to keep this in mind once your restoration and mold remediation service provider has left. Failure to take the heat and humidity into consideration can leave you with another round of unsightly – and unhealthy – mold.
Keep reading as we pick the minds of Rytech’s water damage restoration professionals for a few tips to help Nashville homeowners avoid paying for mold remediation a second time.
Q: Is it possible to eliminate mold in the air?
Rytech: Yes, it is. Keep temperatures cool and change your HVAC filter every month if you are worried about mold. Keep in mind that not all air filters are created equally, and you will need a product with a MERV rating of at least 11 to remove the majority of mold spores floating around your home.
Q: Are there other ways that an air-conditioning system can help reduce the spread or return of mold?
Rytech: Absolutely. When you turn on your HVAC, air circulates throughout the home. This helps keep things dry, which is crucial if you have experienced water damage and already paid for mold remediation. Check Nashville listings for an HVAC service provider to inspect your system to ensure that it is working correctly and that there are no leaks in the ductwork. This can cost between $50 and $100 but is a small price to pay to ensure that your system is efficiently reducing humidity.
Q: Okay, so now that we know about mold in the air, what are some other factors that contribute to the problem?
Rytech: Surface mold can also be a problem, especially when it remains in a dark and humid environment. One common cause of chronic moisture, aside from excessive indoor humidity, is small leaks in the plumbing. You may not notice it for many days or weeks, but poorly sealed pipes behind the walls can leech water into the drywall or, worse, the frame of your house. Something else to look for is roof damage.
Q: How can your roof cause a mold problem?
Rytech: Your roof has one job, which is to keep the elements out of your house. If it has even a minor infraction, rainwater or melting ice can enter the structure. Like leaking plumbing, this can damage your home and cause a mold invasion. Usually, a roof leak is first noticed by discoloration on the ceiling.
Q: What about the areas of the home that you don’t often visit, such as the basement or attic? Is it possible to prevent mold in these areas?
Rytech: Our Nashville mold remediation technicians often respond to issues in attics and basements. Their experience tells us that air circulation is the best preventative medicine. Unfortunately, these areas are usually not heated or cooled, so each homeowner must ensure natural airflow.
Q: How?
Rytech: It is not difficult to ventilate the attic as most homes already come with attic vents. But, if this is not enough, contact your local roofing company or handyman to ask about installing a turbine. It is also important to have the right kind of insulation materials in place. This serves to control the ambient temperature. After a roof leak, wet insulation should be removed immediately and affected areas allowed to dry before replacing the insulation.
For more information about water damage restoration and mold remediation services, visit Rytech Nashville’s website at https://rytechnashville.com.