When you own a home, it's important to be able to quickly identify any issues that require your attention. A handful of common occurrences can potentially lead to the growth of mold if you ignore them. By the time you discover the presence of mold, your family's health may have been compromised. In this scenario, you'll need to hire a mold removal company to clean up the affected areas, followed by a general contractor to repair or replace whatever elements of your home were damaged by the mold. By dealing with issues in advance, however, you'll be able to prevent the growth of mold. Here are some things that can cause this problem if you ignore them.
Cracked Bathtub Caulking
Take a look at the caulking around the edge of your bathtub where the tub meets the tile. It should be solid and smooth without any cracks in it, above it, or below it. If cracks are present — which can easily occur over time or due to the caulking being applied when the area was damp — water from your showers and baths can get in behind the caulking. In this position, the area that is out of sight will never fully get dry, which will encourage the growth of mold. If you can smell a mildew-like smell in your tub, this is where the smell is potentially emanating from.
Separated Dryer Venting
In some homes, the laundry room is placed on an outside wall. This allows the dryer venting to travel straight from the dryer to a vent on the exterior of the home. In other home layouts, the dryer venting may be long because the laundry room doesn't have an outside wall. This venting will commonly go through the attic and outside, but there's a risk of any of the individual venting sections coming apart. When this occurs, humid air from the dryer will escape into the attic, potentially causing mold. It's a good practice to inspect the venting regularly to ensure each section is firmly attached.
Basement Water Damage
Whether you have a large flood or a small leak in your basement, the result can be water damage. You shouldn't ignore any amount of water damage in your basement. Water can soak under the flooring, be absorbed into the drywall, get behind the baseboards, and cause mold to grow in each of these areas. If you've noticed or suspect mold growth anywhere in your home, book a mold inspection right away, such as from Donofrio & Associates.
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