|
|
 HIDDEN
MOLD |
|
 |
"I don't SEE
any mold!"
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. |
|
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. These pictures
were taken during an actual inspection.
More Than
What Meets the Eye (Jobsite
Photos)
After experiencing several physical symptoms commonly
associated with toxic mold exposure, this one year old
upscale home was inspected for mold. |
|
Although there was no visible evidence of mold, using state-of-the-art moisture detection
equipment, the inspector detected high moisture retention in
the drywall next to the tub and baseboard. |
 |
| |
|
|
Closer examination revealed that the shower door
frame had been caulked with silicone. The
actual leak, however, was not from the door frame. The leak
was coming from a defective door gasket on the
bottom of the door, which was allowing water to pass
through onto the floor. |
 |
| |
|
|
Further inspection revealed water damage and 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. |
 |
| |
|
|
An air test confirmed
significantly elevated spore counts of Stachybotrys, Penicillium and Aspergillus. The family of five
spent six weeks in a hotel room while the builder
remediated the mold. |
 |
|
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.. |
|
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. |
 Pictures
and plaques on walls that back up to bathrooms or exterior
walls that get little exposure to the sun provide a good
environment or mold growth. |
 Exterior
walls absorb moisture from sprinklers, rain and standing
water causing high moisture retention in wall cavities. |
|
