Be on the Lookout for Mold & Mildew

No matter how carefully you clean your home, you may one day find that you’re doing battle with mold or mildew growth. Mold and mildew are both types of fungus that grow in dark, damp conditions, such as ones that can be found in your walls when your pipes start to leak. Bathrooms, laundry closets, and garages are also mold growth hotspots. While mold and mildew definitely look unsightly, they also pose a potentially serious health risk due to constantly releasing spores into the air.

When you find mold or mildew in your home, how can you get rid of it to eliminate the threat? Here are just a few simple tips from our San Fernando Valley plumbers.

Locate the Source

Mold is interesting in that you can’t always see it, but you can usually smell it without too much issue. Mold and mildew both have a strong, distinctive odor that can usually be detected pretty much anywhere in the house. However, finding the source can be tricky, especially if the source is actually inside your walls. Dark, damp places tend to be the best growing spots, so check these areas thoroughly while wearing a mask to avoid ingesting spores as much as possible. If the mold or mildew isn’t immediately visible, try looking for any spots where your walls appear to be taking water damage, and you could find the source just on the other side of your drywall.

Scrub the Issue Away

Fortunately, mold and mildew that are visible can be scrubbed away fairly easily. Use an old, soft-bristled toothbrush to apply soap and warm water to the fungus. This should help get rid of the majority of the substance, however you may want to make sure all of the existing spores are dead so the issue doesn’t return. Carefully dilute bleach with water and put the mixture in a spray bottle, then apply the spray to what traces of mold and mildew are left. Let it sit for 10 minutes, scrub it again, and then rinse it with clean water.

Fix the Problem for Good

Mold can sometimes come from natural causes, but it may also come from something like a leaky pipe. If that’s the case, you’ll want to fix the problem at its source to prevent mold and mildew from returning just a few days later. If you have to crack open your walls to battle mold and mildew and you notice that you have a leaking pipe, call a professional for a high-quality repair to prevent the issue from returning.