What to Do if You Find Mold Caused by a Roof Leak

5/29/2020 (Permalink)

Roof leaks can cause water to slowly drip into your house. The most obvious problem with this is the possibility of water damage to the interior of your home. What many people don't realize is that this water damage can create the perfect environment for mold growth.

If the mold growth isn't too extensive, you can remove it yourself. You just want to make sure that you take all of the necessary steps to do it safely and effectively.

Step 1: Identify the Mold

Once you have the cause of the leak repaired to prevent any further damage, you should start investigating the affected areas for any signs of mold growth. These can often include a discoloration of the wall or ceiling, a musty aroma, or visible mold that is usually green, black, or brown.

In addition to physically seeing the mold, you can also monitor your health. Mold can cause people to have trouble breathing, fever, sore throat, headaches, chronic fatigue and more.

Step 2: Determine the Extent of the Mold Growth

Sometimes mold might not look bad on the surface, but oftentimes mold can also get in the drywall, insulation, floorboards, etc. You'll want to make sure you do a proper inspection of the affected area to know the whole extent of the mold growth.

Step 3: Remove the Mold

Mold can produce toxins, so if you plan to remove it yourself you should take the proper safety precautions. Firstly, make sure that you have personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves and a face mask. You should also wear long sleeve clothing to make sure your body is covered. 

Once you have all of your PPE on, you can use a fungicide on the affected area and scrape the mold from the surface it's on. Once you have removed as much as you can, let the area dry. You should check back on in a couple weeks to make sure that the mold hasn't grown back.

Contact Information:

If you have any questions about water or mold damage in your business or home, please do not hesitate to call the SERVPRO of Bend office at 541-385-7044.