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Water Leaks and Black Mold

Posted on February 21, 2024 by Melbourne Plumber

In single-story homes where plumbing is located in the attic or in multi-floor houses, a leak from above can seem catastrophic. Gravity pulls the leaking water down into the walls and floors. The result can be ruined drywall, flooring and even worse, black mold.

As you may know, black mold is more than just an eyesore. The spores from this mold can be harmful to human biology. Instantly, the mold can cause sneezing, coughing, congestion and eye irritation. Over the long term in can cause lung damage and cognitive decline. It’s bad news.

Black mold must be removed by professionals and all the material that it has affected must be removed from the home and disposed of properly. It is a true health hazard. This is why it is important to detect leaks as soon as humanly possible.

That little brown stain on your ceiling which you have been ignoring can be a telltale sign of something more serious. On the other side of that material can be a giant patch of black mold. It is important to investigate as soon as you see something like this.

Grab an M95 mask from the local hardware store and go into the attic. Identify the leak and look for black mold. Repair the leak or call a licensed plumber in your area to handle the project.

A local contractor can help you replace drywall and flooring. If you see black mold in a small amount, there are commercial sprays available to deal with it. But it is probably a good idea to call in an expert.

Florida and Black Mold

Florida is one of the worst states when it comes to black mold. This is because the climate is warm and moist through most of the year. Mold thrives in warm and wet conditions. In fact, according to HomeAdvisor.com, Florida is second in the nation for most black mold cases, only behind Texas.

Essentially, the further south you go in the state of Florida, the higher your chances of getting black mold. Damage to roofs from storms is the #1 culprit of catastrophic black mold. Pipe leaks is right up there as well.

It is important to stay vigilant to keep your home in good working order and free from harmful toxins like black mold. Having pipes that function properly with no leaks is a big part of that.