Common Causes Of Water Damage
Severe water damage is typically associated with wooden structures. As the wood is exposed to water, the construction will start to lose its integrity. It can cause ceilings and walls to collapse due to the rotting fibers. However, water damage can also wreak havoc on certain metals. Rust, or iron oxide, occurs when an alloy that is created with iron or steel derivatives starts to break down due to water and oxygen exposure. The rust causes the bonds in the metal to weaken.
Most Common Causes of Water Damage
Broken pipes or hoses within the home. This is one of the most common reasons as to why a homeowner may experience water damage on the property. A burst water main or pipe can spill gallons of water in mere moments. Even a small leak can accumulate into a puddle, and cause structural issues with its accumulated weight.
The air conditioner. Your air conditioner might seem to be working fine from one end, but in the other end, your unit may be perpetually leaking. It’s essential to adhere to regular service dates to ensure that your air conditioner is functioning correctly during its lifetime. Remember that air-conditioners not only cool the air, but they also remove moisture from it. A faulty air conditioner may have the condensation accumulate within the unit itself. The water will slowly drip into your home and potentially ruin your flooring, or cause issues with your drywall.
Concerns About Crawlspaces And Basements
There are individual sections in the home that are more prone to water damage, like attics, basements, and crawlspaces. This is mainly because they have proximity to hoses, and family members hardly traverse them. These dark, damp spaces are also ideal for mold to flourish, which can contribute to further structural damage via oxidation.
Importance of Mold Removal
Not only does mold compromise the structure of your home but they can also jeopardize the health of your family. Mold can cause mild symptoms like nasal stuffiness, irritation of the throat and eyes, and coughing. However, there are also instances of certain molds generating severe reactions, especially with people who have compromised immune systems.
While mold itself isn’t toxic, some forms produce mycotoxins, causing almost constant allergic flare-ups that can get in the way of enjoying the refuge that is your home. If you think that you have an aggressive form of mold in your home that isn’t responding properly to over-the-counter products, contact us to learn more about mold removal and remediation.
Does Mold Make Asthma Worse?
You may not know it, but you could have entire mold colonies in your basement, under the floorboards and within the walls that are producing the allergens that are making your kids sick. Read on to know how mold contributes to childhood asthma and what you can do to prevent this at home.
Studies Show the Mold Affect Children with Asthma
An increasing number of studies are linking the development of childhood asthma to mold in the home. Once such research study was conducted at the University of Cincinnati led by Dr. T. Reoponen. The study found that 3 species of mold were common in the homes of babies that later developed asthma. Among the participants involved, 24% developed the condition, which provided substantial evidence that indoor mold can contribute to the development of asthma in children.
What Homeowners Can Do
If you are a parent and a homeowner, it is important that you ensure that your home is free from mold, especially if you have a family history of allergies or asthma. Search for signs of leaks, water damage, and mold infestations so you can start the process of removal right away.
Air Testing and Professional Mold Removal
You and your family spend a lot of your time indoors, so it is only wise that you make sure that you are breathing air that is free from toxic and harmful pollutants, mold spores included. The only way to ensure that your home is free from allergy and asthma-causing molds is to have your indoor air tested and the mold completely removed from your home. This is the reason why we recommend indoor air quality inspections before and after mold removal to ensure that you and your family are breathing clean, safe air, in select cases where residents have asthma.
Remediation Services in Tallahassee
We conduct mold inspections to determine the location of the mold and the extent of the infestation. Our inspections are followed by mold remediation which is the process of removing the mold damaged materials from the home. Cleanup also involves improving ventilation and eliminating sources of moisture to prevent the mold from coming back. We always recommend professional removal especially if the spores have spread to your ventilation system since this is the only way to ensure complete removal of mold from your home.
Mold present in large spaces, such as homes, are a health hazard to you and your family, and can potentially contribute to the development of asthma in your kids. Start early as today to ensure that you and your kids only breathe clean, safe air at home.
How Much Does Mold Remediation Cost?
The general rule in mold removal and remediation is that the price depends on how extensive the problem is. It is also important to know you might receive very different estimates of the cost of mold removal in Tallahassee, depending on the provider. We pride ourselves on offering the proper remediation services at the fairest prices in the industry.
Mold Remediation in Tallahassee: What is it?
Mold remediation is the process of getting mold back to normal levels. Mold spores are present everywhere, but they can grow to damaging numbers in certain conditions, such as the presence of constant moisture in indoor spaces. Mold remediation consists of inspection and assessment of the mold growth and damage, containment, removal of mold-infested surfaces, clean-up of contents, and restoration.
How Much Does Mold Remediation Cost?
Mold remediation costs can vary according to the extent of the infestation, the size of the space, whether or not ventilation and duct systems are involved, and the like. Small mold problems can be handled inexpensively. It may not even reach the level of your insurance deductible. However, mold problems that are extensive are likely to have spread to areas in the house that cannot be reached without professional equipment. For cases like these, our professional mold remediation technicians will need the assess the situation. The good news is that we will provide a detailed estimate of the work before we begin.
The minimum amount for the most basic mold remediation service is several hundred dollars. This is the average price we charge for remediation for a 100 sq. ft. Expect to spend more if multiple rooms, the attic, or ventilation ducts are involved. In cases like these, you can pay from $2,000 to $6,000.
Whole House Remediation
Remediation for entire homes, with mold infestations in every room in the house, can set homeowners back from $10,000 to $30,000, depending on the size of the house. The increase in cost can be because more complicated procedures, from clean-up and removal, may be required. The cleaning crew may need to remove damaged carpet, sheetrock or wood from your house. However, these are repairs that you cannot afford to put off, or else you risk exposing your family to the dangers of a widespread mold infestation in your home.
Does Insurance Cover Mold Removal?
Insurance can significantly help reduce the overall cost of mold remediation. There is a good chance that your home insurance policy has mold removal, cleanup and remediation covered. Contact your insurance company and then contact us for a detailed estimate of the costs of your mold removal.
Rethink Removing Mold on Your Own
There are a lot of fundamental misconceptions when it comes to the subject of mold removal. Many homeowners who discover that their property is infected with this stuff figure that removing mold is a DIY project. Eliminating mold on your own is possible but not easy. Some property owners think that they can do as good or even better than if they had hired a professional mold removal specialist to undertake the project for them. It’s doubtful that you will have the know-how, equipment, and tools to complete the job correctly and safely.
Mold Spores are Airborne
What people don’t understand is that mold is a spore, not a stain on the wall. Painting over it may take care of that one area of mold infection, but it will leave all of the other nascent mold-infected regions free to build themselves up in secret. Because they are microscopic and easily displaced from their current roost, mold spores have to be very carefully isolated and prevented from spreading through airborne movements even before any effort can be made to encapsulate, remove, or destroy them. Even ripping out mold-infected drywall or woodwork is going to spread those spores to other areas. It may take a while for the problem to return, but it will happen eventually.
Address the Root Problem First
Another of the most common mistakes of DIY mold removal attempts is to misunderstand the particular environmental conditions necessary for mold spores to prosper. They need dampness, warmth, and darkness to multiply to any significant degree. Since most mold infestation problems arise from some water inundation issue or through living in a damp, warm climate (or both), it is crucial for mold cleanup efforts to do something to ameliorate these conditions, which will prevent growth from re-occurring.
Mold Hides Out of Sight
It also needs to be remembered that mold isn’t just found where you see it. By the time it grows to a noticeable degree, it can actually spread throughout your entire home. Attacking the problem where you can visibly find it is not even half the battle. There is also more than just one type of mold infestation and this often means that more than one sort of treatment will be needed to eliminate every species of it.
Protect Yourself Before you Try DIY
As you can see, mold removal is a complex job that requires a lot of knowledge and training. It also requires experience to root mold out of every dank corner and other potential hiding places in the home. Disturbing mold in its current position can also subject sensitive individuals to severe health problems if they do not use the best in protective gear and garments.
If you have a mold problem, or merely think that you do, it truly is best to you consult with one of our experts for a mold inspection before you make the problem worse by liberal applications of well-meaning but unhelpful DIY procedures. You can reach out to us at https://tallahsseemoldpros.com or at our Mold Removal Google+ page.
Dangerous Health Affects of Flood Damage
Health risks of flood damage can be quite severe and significant. It is essential to be aware of all the dangers lurking in flood water outside and inside your home. Just as important is to realize the long-lasting adverse effects flood water can have on your home and your health long after it has subsided.
Outside the Home
Structural Damage
Flood damage outside the home can result in dangerous standing water and structural damage. Flood water is well known to carry a host of different water-borne diseases. These diseases include typhoid fever, cholera, hepatitis A, and leptospirosis. These diseases are not specific to underdeveloped countries; they are a problem anywhere there is standing flood water.
Electrical Problems
Your home can also suffer significant structural damage to the exterior, specifically your siding. It is important to have your home thoroughly inspected to ensure that there is no damage to the structure or wiring of your home. If flood waters recede reasonably quickly the majority of the damage should be cosmetic and not hazardous to your health the way electrical and structural problems could be.
Inside the Home
There are dangers and health risks that come with flood damage inside the home as well. Just as with outside, there are specific dangers to be had with standing water.
Exposure to Chemicals in the Flood Waters
One of the most significant health hazards of standing water in the home is the risk of exposure to chemicals. Most people store household chemicals on bottom shelves which are susceptible to flooding. Some substances that are benign on their own can become quite toxic when mixed. Other household chemicals are incredibly corrosive on their own.
Black Mold Grows Quickly
While toxic chemicals are a danger, the most common health risk of flood damage is found in the mold that is left behind. Once waters have subsided inside the home, microbial growth is sure to follow. While some items and surfaces can be washed to eliminate the mold, other surfaces are not as easy to treat. One of the most toxic types of mold, especially black mold, can create a host of different respiratory and dermatological issues. These issues are exasperated in the young, the elderly, and those that suffer from allergies and asthma.
Long-Term Health Issues
Because of the extensive list of health issues created by mold, it is essential to use a professional experienced in mold removal. We respond promptly and we’ll work to restore your home to safe conditions as quickly as possible. We know how to remove mold from difficult places and how to treat or porous surfaces. Calling our professional home mold removal service first is the best way to mitigate any damages and health issues due to mold from flooding.
For more information, check out our mold FAQs at https://tallahasseemoldpros.com and be sure to follow us on Google Plus for local Tallahassee mold remediation advice.
What Makes Mold Grow in a House
The appearance of mold in the home is not only unsightly, but it also poses a health hazard to occupants. Mold spores and fungal toxins can lead to allergies or other conditions. This form of fungus can be detected indoors by a musty smell and black speckles on the walls. Moisture contributes significantly to its growth. As such, mold can spread through living spaces due to a damp wall. Everyday household activities, such as cooking or showering play a role in its development. It can cover almost anywhere, including on wallpaper, wood or plastic.
It can spread if a home is not sufficiently insulated, especially during the winter periods. Warm air is circulating in a room stores moisture, which condenses in cold areas on walls, door frames or doors. These spots are characterized by ideal growth conditions for mold spores like window sills, door frames, and exterior-facing walls. Therefore, we recommend ventilating the living rooms several times a day to reduce moisture and counter mold growth.
In some cases, it is difficult to remove the harmful mold and renovations must be made to the affected areas. Thankfully, we can detect signs of mold in the home and help remove mold in bathrooms, attics, garages and under the sinks. This makes it easier to breathe better quality air. If large areas of the walls are affected, our team of professionals may recommend removing the wallpaper or other fixtures to ensure proper treatment of the room.
If the mold re-emerges even after re-wallpapering, the outer walls or broken pipes in the wall could be the cause of the spores.
Detecting Mold in the Home
It is easy to recognize mold by visually inspecting the wallpaper, door frames, drywall, and bathroom shower areas. It is possible to notice small brown or black spots on the surfaces. These discolorations can be greenish or bluish as a clear sign those specific areas are affected by the fungus. Over time, the mold grows, mainly when the most critical growth factors are present: moisture and nutrition (cellulose from wallpaper and dead skin cells).
When you visually recognize the mold, we recommend taking countermeasures as quickly as possible. The best option, when faced with a significant proliferation, is to reach out to our trained mold remediation experts in Tallahassee.
Unfortunately, mold is not always visible at first glance, particularly in water heater closets and attics. It can hide behind objects that prevent air circulation, including furniture and even on external walls. Therefore, we recommend checking walls behind cabinets or other bulky items.
If rooms are excessively humid, this can be an indication of possible mold growth. The high humidity can be caused by inadequate ventilation or incorrectly installed wall insulation. It can also occur due to previous water damage, condensation on fixtures like window sills or structural defects.
Mold Inspections
We have many years of experience when it comes to mold inspections and remediation since mold growth is a common problem in homes and apartments. When mold is present in the outside air, they also reach indoors where growth takes place. Conducting a thorough mold inspection is a surefire way to detect any infestation in garages and bathrooms. Key target areas include window frames, joints in the shower and on bathroom walls.
In some cases, a mold assessor will be called in to conduct a mold test which provides an overview of the different types of fungi and spores. It can also show how dangerous they are to health. The tests may involve dust collection and the test strip method.
The latter involves the use of swabs, which are taken from affected surfaces. The test strip indicates the result within a few minutes. However, this method only detects a few types of mold. Many different types of mold are not recognized.
The dust collection test entails the use of a container, which is mounted on the vacuum cleaner. The dust collected is then sent to a laboratory, and the result will determine whether there are signs of mold activity.
The tests are best conducted by a licensed expert because a trained professional not only looks at the laboratory values but also the whole building and can detect mold thanks to years of experience.
Additional Considerations and Steps to Prevent Mold
If the living room wall is already covered with black mold stains, you do not need to conduct a mold test. The determination of the mold type is secondary in this case. A strong mold presence indicates that there is damage to the building and it must be repaired immediately. As a consumer, you should always inspect all rooms thoroughly to recognize small dark spots or a musty odor associated with mold. Even new construction is susceptible to problems if there is a broken pipe or faulty appliance.
To prevent mold, proper ventilation is very important, air contains invisible water vapor and this leads to moisture in the rooms. The water vapor must be removed regularly from the rooms. Otherwise, it can lead to an infestation.
Studies have shown that a four-person household releases up to 10 liters of water into the indoor atmosphere. For this reason, proper ventilation is important. If you open a window, an opposite door creates proper ventilation after just one to five minutes. When the window is half-open, you have to ventilate the room for ten to fifteen minutes for maximum benefit. If the window is only tilted and the opposite door is open it takes fifteen to thirty minutes, with the door closed it takes thirty to sixty minutes.
For more expert advice on mold in the home, check out our homepage at https://tallahasseemoldpros.com
We also share news and tips on our Google Plus page about Tallahassee mold removal procedures.
Guide To Black Mold Inspections
Signs of Mold
Mold is a collective term for fungi that can form fungal threads and spores. More than 100 types of mold can occur in homes, and their seeds (spores) distribute like dust in the air. In combination with moisture, they germinate and develop into new fungus networks. Although not all molds are dangerous, some variants produce toxins (mycotoxins) that can damage internal organs. The spores of the fungi also trigger skin and mucous membrane reactions, which result in allergy-like symptoms.
The extent of the health hazard depends on the intensity, type of mold damage and sensitivity of the occupants. The extent of the infestation cannot always be measured accurately.
If there is a suspicion of a hidden or severe mold infestation, the affected rooms must be examined more closely by experts. We have many years of experience when it comes mold inspections and remediation. You can count on our team to use advanced techniques to detect and remove mold spores in hard-to-reach places. If necessary, we may expose cavities behind formwork, ceilings or walls. This makes it easier to access the black mold source.
Mold infestation is no longer confined to old buildings with thin cold outer walls but increasingly occurs on higher floors and in insulated buildings. Often, the outbreak hides behind a wall covering or a cabinet that is too close to a cold wall. Suspended plasterboard ceilings or walls that have been insulated from the inside are also frequent targets for spores.
Mold Inspection Process
We use several methods to detect the presence of mold spores in bathrooms, kitchens, attics, and basements. When needed we’ll call in a mold assessor to use the most reliable technique involves room air measurement, which reveals signs of dead black mold and metabolic end products of living mold even in the smallest amounts in the room air. The metabolic end products are known as Microbial Volatile Organic Compounds (MVOC’s).
The visible inspection and moisture testing will be carried out by our trained mold remediation experts. In some cases, health authorities can conduct additional assessments. Air quality tests will be passed over to a mold assessor to complete. This ensures that there is no conflict of interest when we provide the estimate for the work. We base our estimate on the protocol prescribed by the assessor.
If you have even the slightest suspicion that mold may be hiding in your house or apartment, you should immediately conduct our mold inspectors. Do not take the problem for granted or delay as serious health complications can result.
Don’t Attempt a DIY Black Mold Inspection
From the colony formation greenish-brown to black-colored Cladosporium fungi, some of the mold is characterized by a rather low tendency for spore release into the air. In contrast, most of the genera Aspergillus and Penicillium species release spores into the air in large numbers. Ventilation processes have a major influence on levels of infestation and growth.
A considerable number of the primarily airborne fungal constituents are found again in the settled domestic dust, which can be whirled up at any time even with slight movements of the air and vibrations. Spore-contaminated household dust can strongly influence the room air hygiene status in the short term, and the use of classic room air measurement systems can be limited to special tasks.
Why hire a professional for black mold inspections?
Our team of mold experts uses advanced equipment and detection techniques. This ensures that all rooms are checked thoroughly for the existence of colonies that may be tricky to detect without special inspection tools or experience. Some of the mold signs cannot be seen clearly or easy to recognize through smell. Get in touch with us immediately.
Anyone who suffers from health conditions that could be related to mold in the house or apartment should go to the doctor. If your eyes and respiratory system are irritated, you have a cold, skin rash, cough, asthmatic attacks and headaches, mold fungi in the home can be the cause.
In some cases, you do not see the spores because they often hide from plain sight. The typical sign of an infestation is initially a musty, earthy smell followed mostly by dark spots on walls, ceilings or furniture. After prolonged infestation, wallpaper is decomposed, colors peel off while wood and paper crumble.
Disturbing the black mold while attempting to remove it can make the situation worse. Stirring up the mold spore may cause the mold to spread. The spores may also be inhaled or make contact with your skin, and this will create health problems that may be long-lasting.
Inspections versus Testing
If you are convinced that a mold fungus source in your home could impair the health of occupants, you can enlist our services for a comprehensive inspection and treatment. We don’t recommend home test kits because a self-test kit cannot determine with certainty whether the mold genus in your home is dangerous or non-hazardous, this requires laboratory testing and can only be completed by a licensed mold assessor.
Learn more about mold by reading our frequently asked questions about mold at https://tallahasseemoldpros.com or reach out to us at our Tallahassee Mold Pros Google Plus page or follow us on our Tallahassee Mold Pros Twitter for updates and tips about mold.
Guide For Realtors: Spotting Mold Before The Home Inspection
If you’re thinking of selling a home or in the real estate industry, you’ve heard about mold and the health dangers it poses. You’ve probably also heard that finding mold in a home can be the kiss of death for a sale that would have otherwise gone through. Takes these steps to avoid unknowingly selling a house with mold problems.
Realtors need to arm themselves with knowledge about mold including the many types of mold, which kinds can be dangerous to a person’s health, remediation steps that need to be taken once it’s discovered, and what a buyer and seller options are once the mold has been detected.
Real Estate Agents: Save the Sale by Catching Mold Before the Home Inspection
Before we get into the guide, it’s important to point out that not all mold is deadly or even dangerous. There are many different species of mold. One of the most serious and toxic species is Stachybotrys (otherwise known as black mold).
This is one of the molds real estate agents hate finding because it can kill a real estate deal. Not all black mold is the deadly Stachybotrys, and the only way to tell is to have it tested.
Places Where Mold Can Grow
Mold can grow anywhere the environment suits it. Mold thrives in consistently damp and dark environments. Spilling water one time in a dark area is not usually going to cause mold to grow. Consistent leaks into a warm, dark space will.
There are numerous places around a home where these conditions are more likely to create a mold issue.
Bathroom shower: The shower and tub in the bathroom is an obvious starting point for mold to grow. Showers and bathtubs are typically made of materials that are not suitable food for mold species however the wood and drywall around your tub and shower are nutrient rich for microbes. Realtors should be looking for cracks or openings in or around tubs and showers as potential areas where mold can grow. Bringing a flashlight with you on any pre-inspection home visit can help you see inside areas where water has been leaking.
Mold Under sinks: Over time, faucets can loosen allowing small amounts of water to leak out. If left unchecked, water can cause mold to grow far up under a sink where the faucet attaches to the counter or where the plumbing from the slab enters the house. This spot is hard to see without laying on your back and getting under the sink, so it’s a likely place for mold to form. It’s also consistently dark and damp under sinks in general.
Hot Attics: The attic is a likely area for mold to form after leaky roofing shingles allow water to seep in. It’s also an area that we seldom go so mold infestations can spiral out of control. Realtors need to remember to check the attic before any inspection (hint: a flashlight comes in handy here too).
Water Heater Closets: Water heaters can also leak when the seal inside them become old and deteriorate. If your water heater is located in the garage or a closet that is also loaded with other stuff, it may be difficult to see the leak or mold until it has progressed to dangerous and costly levels.
Garages: Water from leaks, water softeners, irrigation systems, vehicles and outdoor gear collects on garage floors. Any type of grade issue or pitting can cause standing water in a garage which then can cause mold on wood or drywall surfaces inside your garage.
Behind Drywall: When water gets trapped behind drywall that creates the perfect environment for mold to grow. The bad part about this is that you cannot see it even if you try. You may notice a peculiar smell from time to time or staining or “shadows” on the wall. These are all signs you may be selling or buying a house with mold issues.
Spotting Mold in a Home
Now that you know where to look for mold, you have to know what you’re looking for. There are a few different ways that mold can be detected. Those are visual, smell, and health indicators. As a successful realtor, you won’t have the time or the opportunity to notice any health indicators. These are typically noticed by homeowners over long stretches of time.
Visual mold indicators: This is one the easiest methods for noticing mold in more accessible areas like in bathrooms, garages, under sinks, or other similar areas. Visual indicators can be discoloration, the presence of water or dampness, peeling or bubbling paint, or ceilings or walls that are bulging. Some of the visual signs are just indicators of water damage, but where there is water damage for prolonged periods, there is almost always mold to follow.
Smelling Mold: Molds create a noticeable odor. This smell is especially true in tight, confined areas that such as attics and closets. Realtors evaluating a home should keep their noses open for musty smells. Note that just because there is a musty smell does not automatically mean there is mold. You should look for visual indicators as well and call in a mold inspector for certainty.
Verifying A Mold Infestation
Even experienced realtors cannot say for sure there is mold in a home. Contact a licensed professional to take samples and determine if a substance is a dangerous mold or not. Realtors should have this done before the formal inspection by the buyer, so they can prepare their seller for how to handle the situation.
How Home Sellers Should Handle Mold Issues
If the inspector discovers mold, keep in mind that honesty is the best policy. Homeowners that try to cover up a mold infestation expose themselves to potential liability down the road should the new homeowner get sick. In many states, there are legal documents call mold disclosures that sellers are required to sign and give to a buyer letting them know they have no knowledge of mold in a home.
If you discover what you think is mold in your seller’s home, recommend that they get it tested to confirm the type of mold it is. Once you learn that it is in fact mold, the best course of action is to tell any potential buyers that you know there is mold in the home and that it is being remediated by a professional remediation company. Selling a home after mold remediation happens all the time.
This absolves the home seller of any future liability and can help move the sale of the home along. Home buyers that discover mold in a home and that a seller has tried to hide it from them will never want to work with the seller on fixing things. Once trust is broken in a real estate deal, it is lost for good.
Mold in homes for sale is never a fun situation and can delay or crush a closing but if you are proactive, honest and seek the help of a professional mold removal company in Tallahassee, you should be able to close a successful deal.
Fix Storm Damage, Roof Leaks and Mold in the Attic Fast
A damaged roof can be a disaster for your entire building. It doesn’t have to collapse, to cause major damage. One single leak is enough to give you a lot of headaches including dangerous mold and mildew development.
Mold thrives in a humid environment, so homeowners and building managers should conduct regular inspections, to detect all roofing leaks and other similar issues in their early stages. A tiny roof leak can damage your attic area and all belongings stored there. You are going to need to repair the roof, but also to restore your furniture items and your attic floor. Sometimes, the water can cause permanent damage to antique furniture and other items stored in the attic. If there is no attic, the roof leak is going to affect your interior ceiling. The paint is going to get discolored and may bulge and peel. In the case of bigger leaks, you can expect your ceiling-mounted lights and fans to get damaged as well.
Mold in the Attic
All these are things that can be repaired with a little effort. The supreme disaster caused by a damaged roof is mold and mildew growth. Mold spores can invade your entire building or home, as they can spread into your HVAC system, and from there into all rooms, through the vents. Mold spores can land on carpets, furniture or blankets, where they can thrive, especially in high humidity environments. Mold is a severe health hazard, especially for people with high sensitivity or with allergy problems. Also, mold is tough to eliminate, so you should take all needed preventative measures to avoid its formation in the first place. A tiny crack in your roof can lead to your family developing severe health issues like severe asthmatic symptoms or lung problems.
Roof Leaks
A leaking roof may result from a powerful storm that also causes a power outage. A water intrusion combined with a lack of air conditioning provides the perfect environment for mold growth. The mold spores can damage the insulation in the attic area, thus rendering your house less energy efficient. The temperature exchange with the outdoor is going to intensify, so your HVAC system is going to work harder for maintaining a comfortable indoor temperature.
Rotting Wood
Moreover, leaking roofs ignored for too long can allow the wood to rot and to deteriorate. If this happens, you are going to need the assistance of a professional building contractor. As you can see, it is important not to neglect what looks like a minor roof leak. Make sure to have the leak repaired and contact a mold cleanup company like Tallahassee Mold Pros to test for and remove any mold.
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Common Problems In Tallahassee Historic Homes
As a community that has been around for a long time, Tallahassee has homes that vary in age. Each period has different construction techniques and these techniques cause different problems over time.
Old houses are actually quite good properties to own if you get the chance. Contemporary homes in newly constructed neighborhoods are often all the rage among homebuyers, but they get pricey quick with demand and bidding wars, and the communities they are in are often far out of town from jobs and entertainment. In some new communities, the homes are squeezed in so close together that there is very little privacy, and homeowner’s associations and neighborhood bylaws are problematic.
Older houses may be far more affordable. This appeals to families already struggling with the expenses of children, to new homeowners, and sometimes even to retirees looking to downsize.
Historic homes may vary in prices and conditions. Some older individuals love old houses that remind them of their childhoods. Older homes also come in communities where trees and plant life have had sometimes generations to grow up.
For all their advantages and appeal, old houses do suffer from a lot of common problems, and those that own these homes need to know what these common issues are so they can address them. Preventative steps, maintenance schedules, and budgeting for repairs all need to be regular themes in the life of an old house owner.
Common Historic Homes Problems
Cracked Foundations
Foundations of old houses have to be checked. Cracks can occur in them over time. ! An old house owner at least needs to know what is underneath the home. Shifting foundations can risk the structural integrity of the entire home.
Mold in Crawlspace
Many old homes in Florida have a crawlspace. The crawlspaces may have experienced leaks, floods or other problems. Additional moisture like this can create severe mold problems in wood floors.
Plumbing and Electrical Issues
Likewise, the plumbing and electrical wiring of an old home need to be regularly inspected, especially if it is the original pipes and wires. Newer plumbing and wiring are far more efficient and many times safer. Have a plumber and electrician both analyze an old home for common problems and get their recommendations on fixes. The costs of homeowners insurance might even go down after modern upgrades are put in.
Ventilation and Poor Insulation
Ventilation and insulation issues are another common problem in old houses. The ability of heat and cold to get in and out of a home can wreak havoc on utility costs every month. A few modern tweaks and home improvement projects can drastically improve the energy efficiency of a home. For that matter, check out the heating and cooling to see how old and inefficient they are.
Leaking Roofs
Roofing issues plague old houses, as there might not be any way of knowing just how long a roof has been up there. Depending on the materials, an old house owner might want to replace it flat out.
These are just a few common problems in old houses. Cracks in walls from settling, warped floor boards, and improper home improvement projects like bad wiring or plumbing from previous home owners are all things to look out for too if you choose to save money by living in an old house. Keep an eye out for all these things and more in your historic Florida home.
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