Mold – it is the four letter word that makes every homeowner’s heart skip a beat and not in a good way. Do you remember the episode of “The King of Queens” where Doug found mold all over their basement, but he wanted to keep it hidden from his wife until they got back from their Caribbean vacation? As it turns out the secret got out while they were on vacation and it made their time in paradise a looming nightmare.
No homeowner wants to deal with mold, but the fact is mold is everywhere and chances are you probably have a little bit growing inside you home. Here are some tips on what to do when you find mold in your home.
Know the Warning Signs
The first line of defense in defeating mold is to know the warning signs of mold.
- Odor – Because mold often grows in places you can’t see, e.g. under carpet, crawl spaces, inside walls, etc. your nose is going to be a great asset for detecting mold. Mold has a distinctive musty smell.
- Know Where it Lives – Mold hangs out in dark, moist, humid places. Have you had a water leak recently or maybe some flooding? These are ideal conditions for mold to grow.
- Have You Been Sick? – Mold can be dangerous to you health. If you have lingering health problems and can’t figure out what the problem is, don’t discount the possibilities of mold induced sickness.
- Look For It – Sometimes mold grows in visible places like showers, underneath sinks, etc. If you find mold, take immediate action and get rid of it.
Check Your Insurance
There’s been a big debate with insurance companies on whether or not they should cover mold damages. Some do and some don’t. Even if you haven’t found any mold in your home, it’s a good idea to check with your insurance to see if they cover this type of situation. A mold issue can be a very expensive situation. Be prepared before the situation arises.
Be Proactive
Don’t give mold a chance to start growing. Do routine checks in places that are prone to mold growth. Check your basement, crawl spaces, sinks, showers, etc. Doing routine cleaning in places that can be symptomatic will help you in the long run.
Access the Situation
If you do find mold, access the situation before calling for help. If it’s an area that is 10 square feet or less then you can probably take care of it with special cleaning products. If it’s widespread then don’t play around with it and seek help immediately.
Know Who to Hire
There are many companies that claim to be mold specialists. Because this cleaning process can be very costly, it’s advisable to make sure the company you hire is certified in mold removal. Here’s a link that can help you find a certified mold company.
Hopefully these tips will help you when it comes to detected and dealing with mold in your home. If you are in the process of buying or selling a home, you’ll definitely want to make sure this concern is thoroughly covered.