IN North Allegheny Spring 2016 | Page 32

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, including a pet, starts to experience worsening of allergy-like symptoms, such as nasal congestion, coughing, respiratory issues, sore throat, or itchy skin/eyes, it may be due to something in the home environment. 5.) The most obvious sign is that you actually see mold growth. Visible mold is the most advanced state of mold. If you see mold you should call a professional right away, but know that you can still have mold problems even if you can’t see it. Mold often hides behind walls, flooring, furniture, etc., because that’s where unseen, long-term water damage can often occur. If you experience any of these warning signs, I advise you to contact a professional mold removal company to determine exactly what your risks and options are. Not all molds are harmful, but only a professional pre-investigated mold test can determine your situation. If you do have mold, a certified professional mold removal company can take care of the problem, and if no mold is present, you get peace of mind that your family is safe. Don’t get trapped inside this winter with potentially dangerous mold. Take a few moments to determine if you have any of the warning signs, and call a professional if you do. Make sure that the professional is insured and certified to do specific mold removal work. During the removal process, mold spores are released into the atmosphere, so proper containment is vital. For more information, call Mold Men of Pittsburgh at 724.226.4191 to set up a free in-home consultation to talk about your specific mold issues. This Industry Insight was written by Bill Davis. MoldMen 30 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE | North Allegheny Bill Davis is the owner of Mold Men of Pittsburgh and D&D Restoration Specialists, Inc. Mr. Davis has over 30 years of experience dealing with mold and other types of contamination removal. He has certifications in mold, indoor air quality and restoration, and is a CR (certified restorer).