Act quickly after water damage: stop the source if it is safe, avoid contaminated water, and begin professional drying as soon as possible. ProKleen provides 24/7 water damage restoration in Medford and Southern Oregon and can address related mold remediation when moisture has already caused growth.
And Then There Was Mold
When water damage occurs, mold can start growing within just a couple of days. It doesn’t matter if it’s summer, winter, or spring. If there’s moisture, mold will grow.
Moisture Likes to Hide, and Mold Does Too
One of the challenges with water damage is thoroughly drying all parts of your home. Moisture can hide within the walls and flooring, making it challenging to know precisely what is and isn’t wet.
Professional moisture meters, extraction equipment, air movers, and dehumidifiers help restoration teams find and dry moisture that is easy to miss.
Mold Is Difficult to Remove
Unfortunately, mold from water damage is particularly difficult to remove on your own. Typical methods for removing mold are geared towards dealing with surface mold, not mold on water-damaged areas.
For this reason, drying or spraying bleach can actually spread the mold. Similarly, AC and heating systems can spread mold spores through the air and into other parts of your home.
Mold Likes to Hibernate
Once mold establishes itself, it won’t go away until it’s intentionally removed. Even without moisture, mold can stay inactive in walls, floors, and other spots it has started to grow on. And when it gets access to water, it will start to grow again.
Mold Is Great, But Only Sometimes
Mold has an important role in human life. Think cheeses, miso, and even medicines like penicillin. However, the mold growing on your house’s walls or infrastructure isn’t what you want around.
Indoor mold can affect air quality and may cause symptoms for some people. Anyone with health concerns should avoid the affected area and consult a qualified medical professional.
What to Do When Water Strikes
Water damage is not something anyone asks for. But if it happens, it’s essential to start the cleaning process within the first 24-48 hours. After that, it becomes much harder to salvage property, and harmful mold spores may begin growing.
Steps You Can Take
If it is safe to do so while help is on the way:
- Stop the water source or contact the appropriate utility or professional.
- Keep people and pets away from contaminated water, sagging ceilings, and electrical hazards.
- Move small valuables from the affected area only when you can do so safely.
- Document visible damage for your insurer without entering an unsafe space.
- Call a restoration professional for moisture assessment, extraction, drying, and a clear recovery plan.
ProKleen’s Water Damage Restoration Process
ProKleen uses professional extraction, moisture detection, structural drying, and monitoring equipment to reduce hidden moisture and limit further damage. When cleaning or treatment is appropriate, the team explains the products and steps being used.
Our process is thorough and reliable, so you can return to a safe home as soon as possible. We’re also available 24/7. So, whether it’s a broken pipe, an overflowing dishwasher, or a leaky roof, give us a call day or night and know that help is on the way.