There is a musty odour in a room that for some reason will not dissipate? Or perhaps you are concerned a water leak from last month has made things worse behind your walls. You may be left to ponder if the slight discoloration on the ceiling is mere dirt or something deserving of your attention.
Such questions are not uncommon. Home and business owners in the Greater Cincinnati area come to United Water Restoration Group of Cincinnati East to put an end to their mold issues on a daily basis. Should you have any misgivings about what is happening with your property, pick up the phone and reach us at (513) 496-3949.
It is easy for mold to make its presence known in a quiet manner. What was an inconsequential leak can leave enough moisture for it to run rampant. By the time one takes notice the problem has been festering for some time. An early eye for detail can be the difference between a great deal of stress and none at all.
Why a Water Leak is a Fast Track to Mold
Given moisture, an organic source of food and time, mold will grow. A water leak is a ready supply of the lot. It leaves drywall, wood, insulation and carpet padding to feed on while the dampness allows it to put down roots. In as little as two days after a leak, mold can start to take hold.
The fact that you cannot see the residual moisture in the walls or under the floor of a leak you put right makes for a narrow window in which to act. There are, however, telltale signs before it is beyond control.
What to Look For
You will not always be presented with a large patch of mold. The indications can be anything but obvious. After a water leak keep an eye out for:
- An earthy or damp smell that does not go away
- Black, green, gray or brown tints on the floors, walls or ceiling
- Paint or wallpaper that is bubbling, warping or peeling
- Stains from water that get darker
- Fuzzy or slimy growth in a corner or under the sink
- A stuffy feeling to a room
- More sneezing, coughing or itchy eyes than usual when inside
One sign is enough to warrant a closer look. What is visible is seldom the whole story with mold.
Hiding Places for Mold
Once there has been a leak, mold has a habit of growing where it is hard to spot. Crawl spaces, the insides of cabinets, behind drywall and under carpet are prime real estate for it. Bathrooms and basements are no exception, nor are the vicinity of pipes and water heaters. Yet they are the very places that are overlooked. All it takes is a minor leak to become a major one before anyone is the wiser.
Health Considerations
Mold is not only a nuisance to your property, it can be to those who occupy it. Prolonged contact is known to aggravate asthma and allergies and cause headaches and respiratory trouble in some. If you observe that household members are unwell on returning to the building and fine once they have left, do not discount it as a possible indicator of a mold problem.
Making the Call
A bit of surface mold on a non-porous material can be put right. But for anything extensive, or that is entrenched in the walls or floors, you want the services of someone trained to handle it.
We are IICRC-certified, fully insured and licensed, and our technicians are on hand around the clock so there is no waiting. We cover Anderson, Batavia, Blue Ash, Loveland, Mason, Milford, West Chester and other communities in the region. Our relationship with insurers means we can help make filing a claim less of a chore. Financing through Hearth is also an option, with prequalification that will not impact your credit score.
Do not let a case of mold get a foothold. Contact United Water Restoration Group of Cincinnati East at (513) 496-3949 for a free estimate and to find out what is going on in your home or place of business. You will be better off for acting on it now.