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"I don't SEE
any mold!"
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Half of the people who call us don't see any visible mold in
their home or office, but they have a reason to suspect a
mold problem. Unfortunately, not all mold problems are as obvious as we
would like them to be. In fact, the most costly mold related
repairs are caused by mold that no one knew was there. |
More Than
What Meets the Eye
Unnoticed, mold can rapidly spread exponentially inside
walls, under floors, above ceilings, and deep into heating
and air conditioning vents. By the time hidden mold is
detected, it can cause thousands of dollars in property
damage.
If you suspect you have a mold problem, don't wait until
you can visually see it. If you smell musty odors or become
aware that your property has experienced a flood or plumbing
leak in the past, it is a good idea to have a professional
mold inspection performed. Prompt action can mean the
difference between a repair project costing a few dollars or
several thousands of dollars.
Below is an example of how hidden mold in a bathroom can
cause damage long before it becomes visible.
A Common Example
The following photos of a one year old
upscale home were taken by a RespirNet PRO Certified Mold
Inspector. |
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Though no visible evidence of mold was present, using state-of-the-art moisture detection
equipment, the inspector was able to detect high moisture retention in
the drywall, baseboard, and shower tiles. Moisture
is always the cause of mold. |
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Assuming water was leaking from the door frame, the
homeowner tried to caulk it with silicone. But the
leak was caused by a defective door gasket on the
bottom of the door, which was allowing water to pass
through onto the floor. |
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Further inspection revealed extensive mold
growth on the wall, inside the wall, on the
baseboard, under the carpet, and into the sub-floor.
Because this was a second floor bathroom, it also
caused water damage and mold growth inside the
kitchen ceiling below. |
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In addition to the extensive property damage that
occurred, an air test revealed highly concentrated
airborne levels of Stachybotrys, Ulocladium,
Chaetomium, Penicillium and Aspergillus. |
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In this example, the homeowner knew "something" was wrong
long before consulting the Inspector. They had been sopping
up water from the carpet for several months and noticed the
smell of mold getting stronger as time passed. But by not
acting promptly, the water damage and mold growth was
significant.
Be Pro-Active
Most of us already have two effective mold detectors; our
eyes and our nose. Like the old adage says; "If it smells
like mold, it's probably mold!" And any time an unexplained
discoloration appears on a surface, especially if the
location is or was damp, it is almost certainly mold. You
may not know what type it is or how extensive the problem
may be, but you know you have a mold problem, and it won't
just go away by itself.
In addition to seeing and smelling mold, there are other
waning signs of an indoor mold problem. For example, you
might have a mold growing in your house:
- If you find yourself clearing your throat a lot, getting
unexplained headaches, eye and nose irritations, or having
cold or flu-like symptoms.
- If you find yourself having pet-like allergies but you don't
have a pet.
- If you feel sick in a particular location (i.e. home or
work) but not sick after you leave that location.
- If you suspect you have a mold problem but you're not
sure, contact us today. A qualified specialist will listen
to your concerns and help determine whether or not mold
might be a factor.
The main thing is to be pro-active. The most dangerous mold
is the mold you can't see. Hidden mold can create
significant damage to your property risks to your health
long before you knows it's there.. |
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More Hidden Mold Examples: |
 A
persistent small trace of mold in the grout was a
symptom of a much larger mold behind tub & shower
tiles. |
 Wall
paper and decorative stickers are favorites of mold. If you
see bubbles, dark stains or lifting, look closer. |
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 Pictures
and plaques on walls that back up to bathrooms or
exterior walls provide a good environment or mold
growth. |
 Exterior
walls absorb moisture from sprinklers, rain and
standing water causing high moisture retention in
wall cavities. |
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