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5 Ways to Avoid Mold this Hurricane Season

Among other things, homeowners must know how to avoid mold this hurricane season. Homeowners must be able to avoid mold this hurricane season since mold can quickly become a problem. 

Anywhere there is moisture mold can grow and with hurricane season comes a lot of moisture as Florida residents know. So, what are some ways homeowners can avoid mold this hurricane season?

Mold is very common in household, especially in Florida. It can occur both inside and outside of the home. While some of it is harmless people that are sensitive to mold must be very careful to avoid mold this hurricane season. 

Mold spores are very small and can be inhaled into the lungs irritating those with allergies and asthma.

The best way to avoid mold this hurricane season is to catch the problem early and keep mold from growing in the first place. 

1. Use Your Senses to Avoid Mold this Hurricane Season

Sight: Looks for signs of mold. To avoid mold this hurricane season look around for the signs. Mold can appear as discoloration in a variety of colors including gray, pink, black and green. It may also appear as discoloration on floors, walls, ceilings or any other place that could collect moisture.

Smell: To avoid mold this hurricane season use your nose! Mold growth can have an odor – a musty smell. Sometimes an odor is the only clue you that you may have mold growing, so pay attention to any unusual or musty odors.

Touch: Mold loves moisture, so to avoid mold this hurricane season keep the moisture out of your home. Despite your best efforts, moisture can make its way into home. So, pay close attention to any areas in the home you feel moisture. To avoid mold this hurricane season they must be dried immediately. 

Hear: Mold doesn’t make noise, but water can. So, to avoid mold this hurricane season, listen for the sounds of water entering the home. It could seep through windows, doors or even a ceiling. 

2. Prepare Early to Protect Yourself Against Mold this Hurricane Season

It doesn’t take much for mold to grow in Florida. In fact, just a few days with no power can be enough for mold to crop up in your home. To avoid mold this hurricane season prepare early. The key is to make sure you can keep your home dry after a hurricane. 

Make arrangements to run fans, open doors, and windows. Keep your home as dry as possible to avoid mold this hurricane season.  

3. Good Home Maintenance Will Help You Avoid Mold this Hurricane Season

To avoid mold this hurricane season, make sure your home maintenance is up to date. Mold only needs two things to grow: moisture and time. Good home maintenance is the best defense against mold growth. 

Inspect windows and doors: Inspect all the windows and doors on your home to make sure the seals are good. Look for dry or cracked caulking and use caulk where necessary. Check the weather stripping as well – good weather stripping should create a good barrier to keep moisture from entering through doors and windows. Don’t forget to inspect small windows and skylights.

Inspect your roof: Roof leaks are a common problem during hurricane season and can lead quickly to mold. To avoid mold this hurricane season from a roof leak, inspect your roof carefully. Your roof should be in tip-top shape to make sure there is no leaking this hurricane season. Some common signs of roof damage include:

Missing shingles: Missing or damaged shingles should be replaced immediately. Shingles are one of the first defenses against a roof leak and help to keep water off the underlayers of the roof.

Rotting or warping: Any areas on the roof that are rotting, or warping should be dealt with immediately to help avoid a mold problem this hurricane season. Rotting can occur on eaves and soffits.

Flashing: Flashing on the roof must be in good condition to help guard against leaking and to avoid mold this hurricane season. Inspect the flashing around vents, chimneys and roof seams to make sure it is not damaged or lifting. 

4. Mitigate Damage Quickly to Avoid Mold this Hurricane Season

If you do suffer from hurricane damage this season, mitigate the damage quickly to avoid mold this hurricane season. 

Take measures to keep more water from entering the home. This could include using tarps, boarding up windows or placing sandbags around the entrances to your home. Do your best to keep water and moisture out the home to help keep mold from growing.

Also, take measures to increase airflow to avoid mold this hurricane season. The best thing to do if you have water in the home is to air it out as thoroughly as possible. You can open doors and windows and install fans. Try to keep your home as dry as possible.

5. Other Steps to Avoid Mold this Hurricane Season

If water enters your home, take swift action to avoid mold this hurricane season. Mold can grow quickly under the right conditions. 

Dry the home out as quickly as you can. Use fans to increase air flow. Humidifiers can also help decrease the moisture in the home and help you avoid mold this hurricane season.

Also, take steps to protect your personal property. Move furniture away from walls. If your floor is wet, elevate furniture or move it to a dry area of the house.

Also, elevate any other property on the floor that could become damaged by mold and moisture. Pay close attention to closets – mold can grow quickly in a closet as they tend to be dark and damp. 

Don’t Hesitate to Get Help to Avoid Mold this Hurricane Season

If you have moisture or water damage this hurricane season and are concerned about mold, get professional help. Bulldog Adjusters specializes in helping homeowners with mold damage and mold claims. 

Bulldog Adjusters

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