Understanding Water Damage, Musty Odors, Mildew And Black Mold

Learn about water damage, musty odors, black mold and mildew

Everyone has had the experience of entering a building that has strong musty odors. This is evidence of water damage, and the odors come from the black mold and mildew that are thriving someplace in the room or rooms.<br>Very often people suffer for years with chronic asthma like symptoms, allergies and a general lack of well-being, without ever suspecting the source of the problem. The remedy can be simple, or, as is often the case, very costly and difficult.<br>Because water is what I like to call sneaky, it can do its work almost unseen and undetected. A small leak under a bathroom sink, in the vanity can go unnoticed or neglected for years, all the while providing ideal living conditions for mold spores and mildew.<br>By the time the homeowner gets around to fixing it, the damage is done. Possibly the entire vanity must be discarded, maybe the flooring has also been ruined, and this could need replacing. The adjacent wall may be soaked as well, with the tell-tale black mold sending an ominous greeting.<br>When you smell musty odors, find out where it is coming from at once. The sooner you act, the greater your chances are of minimizing the damage. Human nature tends to procrastinate the unpleasant tasks but the ironic thing is that it takes less time to do it immediately, rather than later.<br>Old clothes in basements, rolled up carpets that are stored in dark, damp areas, and items that might come in handy some day are all common hiding places for these damaging spores. They really can be toxic for some people.<br>Cost is another determining factor in how we deal with water damage. If your budget is very limited, as it is for most people, the work will have to be done as a do-it-yourself project, or DIY. If you are not able to do the work on your own, you can trade labor with a friend who is capable, or you might just have to pay for a contractor. <br>A trip to a building supply store can save you a ton of money as well. Many things are really not that complicated, but can be very time-consuming to repair when you are inexperienced. Plumbing and electrical problems are sometimes not that difficult, but if you don't know what you are doing, you probably should not do it. <br>More than once I have been in the middle of a home repair and did something I was unaware of that caused a bigger problem and I had to call in the pros to rescue me. They always come, but they are not always happy with what I have messed up!<br>A little common sense goes a long way with water damage restoration and prevention. Sometimes we overlook the obvious in our quest for complicated solutions. Basic tools and a realistic approach, combined with the willingness to work at the problem will generally solve most types of problems. <br>Wet basements, cracked foundations, leaky roofs, and poor plumbing are all typical sources of the moisture that causes the black mold and musty basement odor that is so damaging to both the house and health of the family.

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