Nebraska Mold Removal
by Ritch Paprocki on March 24, 2011 at 11:28 pm
Video Links on Nebaraska Mold Removal Projects:
Water Vapor Causes Mold Growth in Omaha Nebraska
Don’t Use This Carpet Pad in Your Nebraska Basement
Lincoln Nebraska Mold Removal
Nebraska mold removal is an unfortunate necessity when water damage goes undiscovered in your home or business. The reality is that most Lincoln and Omaha homes have some level of hidden mold growth in them. So, should you be concerned about this “hidden killer mold”? Read on…
It’s most important that water leaks or water intrusions be identified and corrected. Recurrent water leaks and active mold growth is a situation that I consider urgent due to the potential for toxins being emitted. If you have a stale, musty odor, consider having a restoration professional look at it.
For the balance of everyday mold hiding in your house, it’s very possible that the there are no more mold spores floating around your air than any other house. And that’s really what you’re concerned about: what am I breathing? If you have a small pocket of dormant mold growth that’s been locked away inside some wall cavity for twenty years, is it really something to worry about? Probably not. Mold is not radioactive and will not creep up on you while you’re asleep!
Keep your home dry, fix leaks when you find them and don’t defer maintenance. Keep an eye on (and nose) on your water-prone areas and you’ll probably never have to worry about mold growth in your Nebraska home.
Does Your New Home Have Hidden Water Damage & Mold
by Ritch Paprocki on February 10, 2011 at 3:25 pm
With more than twenty years of water damage and mold experience in Nebraska, I’ve seen my share of damaged homes. If a house sustains enough water damage, it will eventually exhibit mold growth. Why? Because the key to mold growth is moisture.
Without additional water added to your home’s structure, mold simply can’t grow. Additional sources of water include failures of the plumbing system (corroded water heater, burst pipes, frozen pipes, toilet overflow), ground water (caused by bad gutters, missing or damaged sump pump, grade issues), failures of the building envelope (roof leaks, window/door leaks, trapped water vapor) or condensation caused by thermal bridges or inadequate insulation. Regardless of where the water is coming from, the end result is the same: mold growth.
It can be difficult to identify mold in a house if it’s hidden or has been covered up. The following video link illustrates the problem: Hidden Mold
So how can you determine if you’re new home has been water damaged in the past? Here’s a simple list:
1. Water stains; look for water stains on ceilings, around windows and doors, around plumbing fixtures and on your basement walls.
2. Deformed materials; look for bubbles, blisters or any other anomalies in the finished materials. Many materials will swell and react to water, especially after repeated or chronic exposure.
3. Unusual transitions in materials; look for odd drywall patches, changes in the drywall surface, differences in the ceiling texture finish or mismatched woodwork. This is often a sign of a past attempt to repair or hide the damage.
4. Strange odors; if you smell stale, damp or earthy odors, it can be an indication of mold or bacteria growth. Both require water to thrive.
5. Sick building syndrome; do you feel worse when you’re in the home or when you spend time in a certain room? May be a sign of hidden mold.
6. Ask the neighbor; neighbors can be a very reliable source when it comes to restoration contractors that may have worked on the home in the past.
If you’re looking at buying a house and want to do your own inspection, go to the high risk areas for mold growth. Some of the most likely places to find mold are:
1. Basement foundation walls; the exterior walls are prime real estate for water exposure and mold growth. The most common location is the drywall surface directly behind the base trim.
2. Consider how the finished basement is insulated. If the basement was finished off prior to the new building code changes, there could be a vapor barrier installed over the wall insulation that can trap water vapor. Condensation and mold growth will follow.
3. The laundry or mechanical room is another great place to look at carefully. These areas often have fixtures or appliances that can leak for a long time before being discovered.
4. Attic; attic mold is pretty common in Nebraska. The challenging extremes in Nebraska weather can allow water vapor to condensate on the attic framing. Over time, this moisture can result in significant mold growth.
Not sure if you have water damage or mold growth? Call us at 402-438-2379 or 1-888-DryHero from anywhere in the Lincoln or Omaha Nebraska metro area and we’ll provide you a free courtesy inspection.
by Ritch Paprocki - DryHero