Spring has sprung! The birds are singing, the flowers are blooming, and mold may be growing where you least expect it.

Springtime rain showers, morning dew, and snowmelt are all signs of the changing of the seasons—and all potential contributors to a mold infestation in your home.

How can you tell if you have a mold problem? Perhaps you see dark spots or discoloration on a door frame or inside the shower; that makes it easy to know you have a mold situation on your hands! But look for these other signs that your home is at risk:

• Cracked plasterboard
• Buckling drywall
• Warping floors
• Condensation on windows
• Musty odor

If you discover mold in your home, you can try to remove it yourself with soap and water or a bleach solution (one cup bleach per one gallon of water). A word of caution: do not mix bleach with other household cleaners, be sure you have plenty of ventilation, and wear protective eyewear and gloves.

You may choose to hire mold remediation experts if your mold situation is too big for you to tackle yourself. As you’re trying to decide on a company:

• Ask for estimates and references
• Confirm that the company has a valid license and insurance
• Ask about certification (for instance, from the Indoor Air Quality Association, the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning & Restoration, or OSHA)
• Request a guarantee or warranty on their completed work.

Of course, the best way to deal with a mold problem is to prevent it from starting in the first place. Here are a few mold prevention tips:

• Check around the perimeter of your home for ground water dampness or foundation leaks
• Look for standing water (or even just dampness) around windows, hot water tanks, sump pumps, and freezers and refrigerators
• Monitor your indoor humidity levels (you may wish to purchase a humidity monitor, which can tell you how high your home’s humidity is—and, perhaps, clue you in to unwanted sources of moisture that will foster mold)
• Be sure your bathing and cooking areas are well ventilated
• If you do experience water damage in an area of your house, be sure that materials in that area are thoroughly dried within 24-48 hours.

Beall Financial and Insurance Services has been working with business-owners for more than 25 years to help them protect their most important assets, and their companies’ future. If you have questions about insurance coverage for your business, contact us.