Winter is coming to Berlin, CT! Staying on top of mold: Hope for the best, prepare for the worst!

11/21/2018 (Permalink)

All too often in life we react to problems rather than taking preventative measures. Medicine, natural disasters, and car troubles just to name a few. Being prepared and staying on top of potential household problems is a lot easier (and cost-effective!) than trying to deal with it once it has gotten out of hand. Along with frozen pipes, melting snow, and stubborn ice, the chances of basements flooding or roofs leaking during the winter season is at a high. Where there is flooding and water damage, mold is never far behind. Mold is one of the first and foremost problems we should prepare for and be aware of during the winter. Mold can grow on almost any surface where moisture is present, however, it grows best in musty, damp environments, (just like the conditions found in most of our basements here in Middletown!) Once mold invites itself into our homes, getting rid of it can be quite a hassle. It spreads through airborne spores and once it starts growing, it can live almost anywhere. Here are a few simple steps to take to avoid mold ruining your holiday season:

Keep all your prized possessions in plastic receptacles...

However simple this may sound, we have witnessed (and have been the recipient) of flooding that has ruined clothing, books, furniture, and electronics.  Head to your favorite local hardware store and stock up on waterproof plastic containers (with lids). This simple purchase could save you thousands of dollars in valuables, as well as your possessions with priceless sentimental value.

Keep your possessions on shelving units...

Another simple yet effective means of preventing mold from destroying your things in case of basement flooding is to build or purchase a simple shelving unit that keeps all your valuables above water level.  If your basement has flooded before, this should be easy to identify, but any shelf taller than 3 or 4 feet should do the trick. If the worse happens, it will be easy to relocate all of your items to a dry, warm environment where they can be saved from any effects of mold.

Get experts in to check your basement...

Getting people trained to look for warning signs is a great way to stay ahead of flooding. A qualified SERVPRO professional is a great resource to check for any pre-existing mold. Often times mold is hard to, if not impossible, to spot without firsthand experience.

In the event of a flood, our SERVPRO of Middletown/New Britain professionals are just a phone call away (860-826-5169). Our experienced staff are efficient, knowledgeable, and are experts at handling any problems that may result from winter flooding. Don’t let winter kick you around! By following these simple steps you will be well on your way to keeping you and your valuables safe and sound.