IN Mt. Lebanon Spring 2016 | Page 26

INDUSTRY INSIGHT MOLD REMOVAL SPONSORED CONTENT Five Warning Signs That A YOU MAY HAVE MOLD home should be a place where you feel safe from harm and the elements. As we retreat indoors for the winter, you should take a moment to determine if you are actually trapping yourself inside with any unseen dangers, such as toxic mold. During the winter, there can be moisture buildup that occurs on exterior walls and in attics caused by condensation, resulting in mold growth. If your home is not environmentally safe, winter can be a dangerous season for your health. By sealing up your home from the cold and taking shelter in the warmth for long periods of time, you could be trapping yourself and your family with hazardous mold. If you have any concerns or want peace of mind that your home is free of dangerous mold, you should call a professional, such as Mold Men of Pittsburgh, for an analysis and pre-investigation mold test. But how can you tell if you have a mold problem? Here are five simple warning signs to look for to help you determine if you might have mold. 1.) Mold often has a musty, unpleasant smell. Many times the smell will be most noticeable when you first enter the infested home or room. If you experience an ongoing odd smell, you should get it checked out. 2.) Interior water damage or excessive amounts of moisture buildup on drywall or unfinished wood can cause mold to develop. Mold needs water to prosper, so areas with higher levels of moisture, such as basements, attics, kitchens, and bathrooms, are often more at risk. However, mold can be found in any room of a house if moisture is present. 3.) Look for pooling or long-term dampness on the exterior of the home where a section seems to stay wet for longer than it should. 4.) If anyone in the household, inc