Is there a musty odour that is hard to put out of your mind? You and the family may be prone to sneezing or headaches, only for them to abate once you are out of the house. And while you might have an inkling something is at work behind your walls, there is no way to confirm it.
Since 1976 Springfield Restoration & Remodeling has put such questions to rest for homeowners in Northeast Indiana and Northwest Ohio. Give us a ring at (260) 305-9199 and we can put your mind at ease as to what is happening in your home if you have reason to believe mold is present.
You will not get an obvious announcement from mold; it is too devious for that. In most cases the colony has been making headway in some inaccessible corner long before you see it on the wall. Being attuned to the warning signs is important, as an early intervention with hidden mold spares you the headache and more extensive cleanup later on.
The Odor is the First Tell
Your nose will generally detect it ahead of your eyes. The kind of damp, earthy smell left by hidden mold is one that will persist after a good cleaning. Should you notice it is more pronounced in a particular room, the basement or a closet, take it as a sure sign the source is close at hand though not in plain view.
Resist the urge to put air fresheners on it. That does nothing but put a veneer over the problem while the mold continues its growth unobserved.
Symptoms You Bring Home With You
Before you ever come across it, hidden mold can make itself known in how you feel. Be on the lookout for any health issues that appear to be a function of being in the house.
Indications of a mold issue include:
- A runny nose, cough or sneezing fit when you are inside
- Watery, itchy eyes that go away upon leaving
- Headaches that coincide with time at home
- Asthma acting up or difficulty in breathing
- Some unaccounted for fatigue or just an “off” feeling in a room or two
- Skin irritation with no other explanation
When more than one person in the household is under the same impression, it is something to be taken seriously.
Things to Look For
Mold will often put evidence of its presence where you can find it if you know how.
Keep an eye out for:
- Discoloration or water stains on floors, walls and ceilings
- Warping or peeling of paint and wallpaper
- Fuzzy or dark patches about the windows, in corners or under a sink
- Buckling of the floor, particularly in the kitchen and bathroom
- Condensation on pipes and windows
- Rust on metal fixtures in the vicinity of plumbing
These are all telltale signs of moisture and mold is wont to follow.
Put the Moisture to the Test
Without water mold is nowhere to be found, so track down where it could be pooling. Slow leaks are the usual offender and they do not make themselves known.
Have a look in the damp places:
- Under the sink in the kitchen or bath
- By the washing machine or water heater
- Crawl spaces and basements
- The back of the refrigerator or dishwasher
- Attic and roof lines following a hard rain
Then there is the matter of old storm damage or a flooded basement that was not properly dried; in those instances you are likely to have hidden mold.
A Professional’s Eye for Hidden Mold
What you cannot see is not going to be remedied with a bit of surface cleaning. The wrong approach to disturbing it can be counterproductive since the spores will be set loose and the roots will have gone into your drywall, insulation and wood.
Our technicians have been put through their paces at the Dewald Academy in the latest containment and mitigation techniques, which is why we get it done right. As a local concern and not a franchise, we are a partner that has your family’s best interest in mind.
We will also shoulder the insurance side of things, from loss documentation to dealing with the adjuster. Should the situation warrant repairs, our reconstruction crew can see the job through to the end.
There is no need to let a bad smell become a major repair bill. The “water cleanup people” of Northeast Indiana have an A+ with the BBB and over 200 Google reviews to vouch for us. We are here around the clock. Call Springfield Restoration & Remodeling at (260) 305-9199.