Is there a musty odour you can not seem to put to rest? Perhaps you are concerned a minor leak behind the wall or under your sink has become more than it was. Or you find yourself questioning if that slight stain on the ceiling is a cover for something out of sight.
There is no need to be; we are here to help. For homeowners and businesses in Henry County and other Georgia communities, United Water Restoration Group of McDonough is on hand to deal with water damage, mold and the like. You can reach us 24/7 at (770) 628-5467.
It only takes a day or two after a leak for the conditions to be right for mold to put down roots. And when it does, it is a quiet spreader. So an awareness of the early warnings is important; the quicker you are on it, the less of a problem it will be.
The Link Between Leaks and Mold
Moisture, time and a food source are all the mold requires. A concealed leak is happy to oblige. Be it drywall, wood, carpet padding or insulation, these are fair game for it to feed on. Leaks have a way of occurring in hard to see places such as under floors or inside walls where the moisture can be left to its own devices for days.
Yet for the most part mold will give itself away. With an eye for what is there, one can put a stop to it before it becomes a matter of health or structure.
Don’t Overlook These Warning Signs
You will come across some signs easily enough while others are overlooked until the harm is done. Pay heed to any of the following:
- An earthy or damp smell that is still there after you have cleaned
- Black, green, gray or brown tinges on the floor, ceiling or walls
- Paint or wallpaper that is warping, bubbling or peeling
- Stains from water which reappear once you have painted over them
- Drywall, wood or flooring that feels spongy
- Fuzzy or slimy deposits in a corner, by the baseboard or under the sink
- More sneezing, coughing or itchy eyes when at home
Put Your Nose to It
Your nose may tell you something your eyes do not. There is a particular mustiness to mold growing up under the flooring or in the walls even if you can not see it. Should a room retain a damp smell in spite of your efforts to clean or air it, consider it a sign. Chances are there is some residual moisture from a leak you had written off.
Places to Make an Inspection of
In the aftermath of a leak, mold will make its way to certain spots. Put in a few minutes to check:
- The area around dishwashers, washing machines and water heaters
- Beneath sinks in the kitchen and bath
- Where the wall meets the plumbing
- Ceilings of upstairs bathrooms
- In closets and crawl spaces that are kept shut
- Behind furniture against an outside wall
That said, not all of it is going to be out in the open. When the symptoms or the smell indicate mold but you can not put your finger on it, a professional can run an inspection and test for it.
Health Concerns to be Mindful Of
One can have a physical reaction to mold before it is visible. Note if you have headaches, a scratchy throat, congestion or asthma that is worse in the house and better when you are out. Those with allergies or respiratory issues will be the first to feel it. If more than one person in the household is having the same trouble, you would do well to rule out mold.
Time to Get a Professional Involved
A spot on a non-porous surface might be wiped up. But a trained crew is called for when the area is extensive or if a leak has made a mess of the drywall and flooring. Go about it the wrong way and you will be distributing spores throughout the home.
As an IICRC Certified Firm, our technicians at United Water Restoration Group of McDonough hold WRT, AMRT, ASD and FSRT specialty certifications. We do the remediation, testing and inspection, as well as the water damage restoration to put an end to the original leak. We are BBB accredited with an A+ and have been given 4.9 stars in over 170 Google reviews.
Make a call to us at (770) 628-5467 for a free assessment rather than let a musty smell become an expensive fix. Our team is usually on site in 45 to 60 minutes and we bill your insurance directly.