Water damage is a serious concern that can cause significant damage if not fixed. However, sometimes it can be difficult to tell if your home might have this problem, especially if it’s behind your walls. Below you’ll find a few ways on how to tell if your residence might have water damage.
What Causes Water Damage?
There are a variety of things that can cause water damage. One of the most common is because of a burst pipe. A broken pipe can result because of old age or extreme temperature changes.
Other causes of water damage include clogged sewer lines, a broken garbage disposal, or a frozen fire sprinkler.
Dangers of Water Damage
Water damage can cause quite a few serious issues that range from structural damage to health concerns. Some of the most common problems and dangers caused by it include:
Wall cracks
An uneven home foundation
Asthma
Electrical damage
High water bills
3 Signs Your Walls Have Water Damage
There are Musty Odors in Your Home: The most obvious sign that you might have water damage hidden behind your walls is a lingering musty odor in your home. This smell is because of mold growth. Because there is a wet surface for the spores to grow on, they will start to break down the wall’s structure creating chemical compounds that form this nasty aroma.
The Walls are Peeling or Bubbling: Another sign that your walls have water damage is that they are peeling or bubbling. Paint or wallpaper tends to absorb water, especially if they are on drywall. If there are leaks, they will soak in the water causing them to shrink. This can result in your wall having a peeling or bubbling effect.
There are Mold Splotches: If you have brown or gray spots on your wall, it indicates you have a mold problem. Damp walls invite mold spores to grow and spread. This can cause unsightly splotches to appear. If the water isn’t removed, the mold will only continue to spread until your entire wall is covered in it. Most of the time mold starts growing at the bottom of a wall and will work its way up.
Water damage can cause serious problems if not caught early and fixed. In Sonoma County, RCS offers numerous services that can help with this. We also have mold remediation which works to quickly treat and remove mold caused by water damage.
Keeping your crawl space free from moisture is crucial if you want to prevent potential home damage. One way to do this is with the help of a moisture barrier. This article will explore more behind what this tool is and the benefits it offers.
How Does a Moisture Barrier Work?
A moisture barrier is a plastic or foil sheet designed to hold water vapor. This prevents condensation from escaping into the ground or nearby walls where it could cause mildew or structural damage.
The Moisture Barrier Installation Process
Installing a moisture barrier can be a little tricky. The easiest way to do so is by measuring the crawl space and then cutting out the moisture barrier fabric to fit those dimensions. It’s important to also add an extra inch or two to the measurements so the moisture barrier covers the ground edges. After doing so, you can install the barrier by securing it to the ground with stakes or gluing it to the crawl space’s wall.
4 Benefits of a Moisture Barrier
It Prevents Mildew: One of the main benefits of a moisture barrier is that it prevents mildew. When condensation forms, it makes surfaces wet. Most of the time, these surfaces are unable to dry which leads to the mildew spreading and eventually forming odors. A moisture barrier collects water vapor and helps it to naturally evaporate rather than soak into surrounding areas.
It Eliminates Odors: You’ll also find that a moisture barrier eliminates odors. This is because it prevents mildew and mold from forming which can result in a strong musty smell throughout your home. These smells aren’t only unpleasant, but can also cause severe allergies.
It Protects Your Pipes: Many different types of pipes are located in your crawl space. If they aren’t protected from water, they could corrode. A moisture barrier prevents this because it stops water from seeping into the ground and walls where the pipes are located.
It Deters Pests: You might be surprised to learn that moisture barriers can deter pests. By sealing your crawl space with a moisture barrier, it will keep them from crawling into the area where they might build nests or chew through your pipes and wires.
A moisture barrier is a helpful tool to install in your crawl space. Not only does it protect your home’s structure, but prevents the spread of mold. If you’re interested in learning more about them or would like one installed, consider contacting RCS.
Mold in homes is a common problem. This fungus can develop on almost anything and can leave behind dark splotches on your walls and furniture. It also could cause serious health problems. This article will explain some of the most common types of home molds and a few ways you can prevent them.
5 Common Home Molds
Acremonium: Acremonium grows slowly, but it’s often found in air filtering systems that can spread its spores easily. While most people won’t experience symptoms from it, those with compromised immune systems could end up suffering from respiratory problems and even eye infections.
Aspergillus: This type of mold is commonly found in living spaces during the fall and winter. Because it’s so common, most people’s bodies are already adjusted to deal with it. However, in some, it can lead to severe allergies. Aspergillus has a spotty black look and usually grows on wet surfaces and drywall.
Chaetomium: Chaetomium grows in spaces that have water damage. It tends to spread around faucets, wet houseplant soil, and damp roofing. Because it has high amounts of cellulase in it, Chaetomium will end up causing the objects it grows around to disintegrate if not removed.
Alternaria: There are over 40 different types of Alternaria and it usually grows during the spring and summer due to the high humidity. Alternaria can cause asthma symptoms and skin irritation. While it spreads mainly outdoors, this mold can grow on wallpaper, bricks, and tiles.
Fusarium: Fusarium is yet another common home mold and will develop on almost anything, including food. Most of the time it can be found on carpets and wood flooring and has a pinkish or yellow color. Fusarium can cause allergic reactions and sinus congestion.
3 Tips to Prevent Mold
Watch Humidity Levels: Mold thrives in humid conditions. To help keep your home’s humidity levels in check, consider using a dehumidifier. You should also make sure you have plenty of ventilation to encourage air circulation.
Dry Wet Areas Immediately: Wet areas can invite many different types of mold to develop. If you notice puddles of water on the floor or around faucets quickly dry them.
Check Your Gutters: If your gutters are clogged it can lead to a backup of water. This can cause it to spill over the sides or sneak into small cracks around your home. To prevent this, make sure to always clean the gutters out and ensure the downspout is pointed away from your home.
Mold is a serious problem that needs to be removed immediately. If you’re concerned that you might have it spreading through your home in Sonoma County, RCS can help. We offer mold removal services that work to quickly destroy mold spores to ensure your living space is safe.
Many homes will encounter mold problems at some point, especially if they are older or have experienced flooding. While you can remove small mold portions, most of the time you need to use professional services to ensure it’s fully eradicated. Below you’ll discover more about what causes mold to develop and how experts can remove it.
What Causes Mold Growth in the Home?
There are numerous things that cause mold to grow in one’s home. The most common include:
High humidity
Water leaks
Lack of sunlight
Excessive mold spores
How Do I Know if I Have Mold?
Mold comes with many side effects. For instance, if you find yourself constantly coughing or sneezing, it could be because of mold spores. Other common signs your home might have a mold problem include musty odors, black patches on walls, and water leaks.
Can I Remove Mold Myself?
If you have a small section that has a few mold splotches, you probably can remove that area yourself. However, if you have a vast area that has mold quickly spreading on it, you’ll more than likely need a professional to properly remove it.
How Professional Remove Mold in Your Living Space
They Inspect the Area: The first step they will do is inspect the area. This will help them to understand the scope of the problem and identify the type of mold they need to remove.
They Quickly Contain the Mold and Install Air Filtration: After inspection, expert mold removers will quickly contain the fungus. They will usually do this by closing off the area to prevent further spread of the mold spores. Once they do so, air filtration will be installed to help quickly remove humidity and improve air flow.
Scrape Away the Mold and Clean the Space: The last step is to remove the mold. Professionals will usually have large bags where they will put the mold they scrape off into. These bags are designed to contain the mold and prevent the spores from spreading through your house.
Once the mold has been fully removed, they will then clean the space. Special solutions will be sprayed on the area to help kill any invisible spores and to prevent future growth. Depending on the situation, a follow up mold test may occur.
Mold is a serious problem that can result in significant health issues and structural damage. If you’re concerned that your dwelling space might have it, RCS can help. We offer mold removal and remediation services that ensure your home is completely free from this fungus.
