Mold Odor & Roof Leaks and Mold

A safe, healthy, well maintained home is important.  Our homes are where we spend a big part of our life — playing, resting, eating, working, and raising our families.  A home needs to be free of roof leaks and other structural problems that can lead to mold growth.

If your home or business has any of the following moisture intrusion related problems, including mold odor, you should contact a professional mold and moisture detection company to perform a thorough investigation:

Mold Odor

If you are experiencing musty or moldy odors in your home, you may have a hidden mold problem.

Roof Leaks and Mold

Roofs must be properly installed and in good condition to keep water out and to keep your property mold free.  Roof construction can be tricky and leaks often hard to detect.

Poor Grading around the Structure

Rain and landscape irrigation can enter a structure if the grading slopes towards the exteriror walls.  When the grading slops towards the walls, water can pool against the structure and water can enter the home or business.  This water intrusion can lead to indoor mold growth (oftentimes hidden inside the walls).

Water and the Foundation

Water problems in the crawlspace and associated with the foundation and substructure can lead to water problems and mold in the home.  Some of these issues are cracks in the foundation, improper ventilation, rising dampness from the soil, and beams in contact with soil.

Plumbing Leaks and Damaged Fixtures

Sometimes plumbing leaks are obvious, but other times they are not.  Plumbing leaks and damaged water fixtures are some of the leading causes of water and mold problems in the home.  Many plumbing leaks start small and they go undetected until significant damage has occurred.  Bathroom and Kitchens contain a number of fixutres — bathtubs, sinks, showers.  The fixtures must be in good working order and well sealed and caulked to keep water from pentrating the surrounding areas.

Sprinklers Misaligned

Exterior sprinklers that water your flower beds and lawns must be properly aligned to prevent water from hitting the side of your home and wetting exterior walls.  Excessive watering can also cause pooling and ponding of water that can penetrate exteriro walls and lead to moisture and mold problems.

Improper Moisture Seals and Caulking around Showers, Sinks, and Tubs

All indoor water fixtures must be properly sealed and in good condition to keep water out of surrounding areas of a structure.

Trees and Shrubs Contacting Exterior Walls of Building

Tress, shrubs, and other plants should not contact the exterior walls of a building.  This prevents sunlight and ventilation from properly drying the walls.

Are you Buying or Selling Real Estate?

• Make sure you don’t sell a home or other real estate with undisclosed water intrusion or mold issues. Engage Mold Inspection Sciences to perform a mold investigation to reduce your liability.
• Be careful to not buy a home with existing mold problems.  This could reduce the value of your home and subject the your family to mold and moisture related health problems.  It could also make it more difficult to insure.

Below is a valuable document published by the EPA about mold and moisture:

A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home