By now you’ve probably heard about it on the news, in the papers, and even from people in your neighborhood. Mold is an issue for today’s homeowner. Not only is it a potentially serious financial issue, it can also pose dangerous risks to the health of everyone in your home.
The financial side alone is worth considering carefully. Left unchecked, a serious mold invasion can cost tens of thousands of dollars to clean up properly. It can also leave a lasting stigma on your property, which can affect resale values for decades to come. A history of mold is definitely not something you want associated with your property.
The health risks make it even more important to take mold seriously. Long-term exposure can cause major problems for the respiratory system, the eyes, and even the brain.
So how do you know it’s time to act? Should you call a mold remediation specialist right now? The answer is probably yes if any of the following applies to you:
1. Your home has sustained water damage
For mold spores, water damage is an ideal opportunity. Maybe it’s flooding or snowmelt coming in through the basement. Maybe a water pipe broke and went unnoticed for awhile. Either way, the presence of moisture and water in your home will often bring mold into the picture. If you’ve experienced any kind of water damage lately, you might want to play it safe and bring in a mold assessment team.
2. You can smell mold
Mold and mildew have a distinct odor; you’ve probably smelled it before in musty basements. Often times, however, the odor is faint rather than overpowering. That doesn’t mean the mold is any less dangerous, though. If something seems off about the way certain areas of your home smell, and you detect a hint of that moldy/mildew scent, you might have a problem even if you can’t see it.
3. The mold is visible to the naked eye
If you see mold growing in plain sight, you probably don’t need any more evidence that you have a mold problem. But how serious is it? And did you know that mold can vary widely in terms of appearance? It’s true that mold often has a green or yellowish tint, but it can also appear black, brown, red, pink, white, and even purple or blue. Be on the lookout for any curious stains or growths throughout your home. If it looks strange and it’s expanding day by day, there’ s a good chance it’s mold.
4. Your humidity is too high
If your home is typically on the humid side—whether it’s due to high humidity outdoors, or an HVAC system that isn’t functioning properly—you shouldn’t be surprised to see mold growth after a while. That’s because mold loves humidity.
5. You’ve been in this situation before
Mold is a resilient life form. People often think that by cleaning up visible mold using DIY methods, the problem will be solved. However, mold colonies often spread to areas of the house you cannot reach by ordinary means, such as between walls or into the ductwork. In such cases, a mold removal specialist is you only option for dealing with the problem the right way. If you’ve cleaned up mold yourself more than once in recent years, you might have a deeper problem.
Keeping your home free and clear of mold
When it comes to mold, prevention is the key. Knowing how to eliminate the conditions mold needs in order to grow is the most cost-effective thing you can do. However, if any of the items above applies to you, it may be time to seek a consultation from a reputable, experienced mold inspection/remediation team.
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