Heavy rainfall and major storms can create the ideal breeding ground for mold. During periods of heavy rain, your South Jersey property can be vulnerable to major water intrusion; however as a homeowner, you can take steps to prevent mold damage during heavy rainfall and avoid serious water damage. All the excess moisture allows the perfect opportunity for mold to thrive, so take some care to implement the necessary moisture control to prevent mold damage during heavy rainfall in South Jersey.
Prevent Mold Damage During Heavy Rainfall & Avoid Water Damage
Prioritize controlling indoor moisture and humidity levels throughout your South Jersey home. If it is still raining, you can’t very well do anything about the moisture levels outdoors. So, control the control-able. Be sure that the rooms in your New Jersey home are well ventilated and have good air circulation. Pay close attention to rooms where moisture and steam tend to build up (i.e your kitchen and bathroom). Check that all exhaust fans are providing sufficient circulation, especially since most windows are often closed to shield the rain. Dehumidifiers can be great assets to South Jersey homes that suffer from poor air circulation and ventilation. It can be easy to prevent mold damage during heavy rainfall, BUT you have to know what to look for and where to look for it.
Check your attic: If you neglect a roof leak (no matter how seemingly minor) during heavy rain or a major storm, you can end up with major water damage and widespread mold development.
- Inspect your South Jersey attic for signs of moisture or water damage.
- Look in the corners and around the vents.
- Make sure to take note if your exhaust fans exit into the attic—check those areas for moisture frequently.
- Attic mold growth in South Jersey can be rather common, so South Jersey homeowners should set aside time to regularly check attics for any signs of potential mold damage.
Check & clean your gutters: Gutter issues can cause backups and leave you with roof damage and water intrusion into your South Jersey home.
- Clear all your gutters of debris and anything that can obstruct drainage.
- Make sure that all downspouts direct water away from the home.
- Check for water pooling around your foundation walls that could be the result of moisture buildup from a gutter clog or backup.
Inspect your roof: While you’re up there checking your gutters, check the condition of your roof.
- Take note of missing or discolored shingles, soft spots, and any other visible damage.
- Also check soffits/eaves for signs of water damage, rot, and mold.
- South Jersey homeowners should try to assess the roof at least twice a year to look for signs of NJ roof damage.
Manage the drainage around your foundation: Rain runoff should ALWAYS drain away from your South Jersey home.
- Pay attention to water patterns during heavy rain and storms to make sure that water is not collecting around your foundation walls.
- If you notice drainage issues around the home, address them as soon as possible.
Take a look in your crawlspace or basement: During and following periods of heavy rain fall, it is opportunity check under your home.
- Whether you have a crawl space or a basement, it is important to assess the space under your home for any standing water or other signs of water intrusion.
- When it comes to standing water and water intrusion, early detection and immediate action will be the key to containing the problem and minimizing the potential damage.
- If you suspect that standing water or water intrusion could be contributing to potential mold development, a professional can help– Contact a reputable mold company to learn more about professional basement mold inspections and professional crawl space mold inspections.
With an adequate moisture source, it only takes 24-48 hours for mold root itself into your building materials and spread throughout your South Jersey home.
South Jersey Water Damage Restoration & Mold Remediation Following Major Storms
Sometimes despite all your preparation and maintenance checks, it just can’t stop the inevitable. In some situations, South Jersey homeowners may not be able to prevent mold damage during heavy rainfall. If that is the case, you need to know how to react and how to react fast. If there is any sign of major water collection within your South Jersey home— contact a professional IMMEDIATELY. A water damage restoration company in South Jersey will have the necessary equipment and training to properly dry out your property to prevent additional water damage and avoid the risk of mold development. Properly addressing the moisture problems right way will go a long way in helping to prevent mold growth. Unaddressed moisture problems or improperly addressed moisture problems can leave a South Jersey homeowner with serious water damage and widespread mold contamination that will require an expensive South Jersey mold remediation.
Unaddressed water intrusion can cause serious property damage that not only effects property value, but more importantly, it effects the overall safety of living in the home. Aside from the threat of major mold exposure, water damage poses a considerable threat to the structural integrity of the building. Water intrusion weakens building materials and can lead to wood rot. As a result, you may be left with a structurally unsound home, which puts you and your family at risk.
When looking for evidence of potential water damage or potential mold threats, it may not be something as obvious as a large pond of water staring back at you. Damp areas can be just as threatening, don’t just dismiss it. You can only see so much at the surface, if you suspect a bigger problem than you can tell, contact a professional to conduct a South Jersey mold inspection. A professional will have the necessary tools and training to get to the bottom of the situation and uncover any hidden water or mold damage before it gets worse.