Homeowners dread water damage because of the terrible outcomes that occur if they cannot handle it appropriately. Water damage arises due to several reasons. It can be from an overflowing sink, damaged plumbing, broken window, flooding from natural disasters, or a leaking roof. Sometimes, the water damage may be visible. Other times, it may hide from plain sight. The problem arises when water damage is hard to detect until it becomes extensive, destroying the ceilings, walls, and floors. At this late stage, the repairs will be time-consuming and expensive. Depending on the extent of the water, you may need to dry out the contents or replace them entirely. However, performing water damage restoration is not the complete solution. There is another critical situation you need to tackle. That brings us to the mold inspection. Molds are present in every environment, but they do not grow until they have a favorable condition to thrive. Water damage in a home provides a suitable environment for mold growth: moisture and humidity. Once there is water damage in a property, mold can start growing after 24 hours. However, this initial phase will not be visible to the naked eye. You may only notice it after several weeks. By then, the mold growth will be extensive. So, if you have a long-term case of water damage, there is a high possibility that you have mold on your property. It is for this reason that you need to act immediately and schedule a mold inspection. But why should you have a mold inspection after water damage? Pinnacle Management brings you some of the reasons why:
1. Mold can hide in your HVAC system
Mold can hide in your HVAC system, especially if the water damage was due to major flooding. During flooding, water intrudes the entire home, including the HVAC system. This dirty water transmits mold spores and bacteria that penetrate the HVAC system to hide within the inner compartments and it will also reduce your AC efficiency. Unless you are a professional, assessing and identifying this may be a difficult task. So, it would be better to schedule a professional mold inspection.
2. Molds are visibly ugly
During the initial phase of mold growth, you may not see them physically. That doesn’t mean molds are not present after the water damage. But over time, the colony will expand. By this time, you will start noticing visible signs of mold growth. Sometimes you may think that they are only soot or dirt. However, a professional mold inspection will clearly show that you have mold growing on your property. Molds can damage the home’s aesthetic appeal to the extent that homeowners will be ashamed of inviting guests to their homes. When molds become visible on your property, selling the house may be difficult. If you succeed in finding a buyer, you may sell it at a cheaper amount. That is because buyers do not find mold-infested properties attractive. So, it is essential to have a mold inspection after water damage if you what to avoid these scenarios.
3. Molds have a terrible smell
Molds have a specific, unpleasant odor that signifies they are growing in a home. Sometimes, it may be difficult to see the molds, but you can notice them. If you have a case of hidden mold after water damage, tracing the source of the unpleasant odor may be difficult. However, performing a professional mold inspection on your property will detect the origin of the unpleasant smell. These experts have the necessary tools, training, and expertise to locate mold and unpleasant odors.
4. Molds constitute a health risk
You do not want mold on your property. If molds are growing in your home, you may have the following symptoms: cough, phlegm, sneezing, chronic tiredness, watery eyes, hoarseness, difficulty breathing, and wheezing. Mold can trigger allergies or asthma attacks. Those who have a higher risk of these adverse health conditions are:
- Infants
- Children
- Elderly
- Pregnant women
- Immunocompromised patients
- People with existing respiratory diseases such as asthma and allergies
If you have a case of water damage on your property, the best way to protect your health is by inviting professionals to inspect for molds.
5. Identify additional sources of moisture
After water damage, other sources of mold may exist that homeowners can’t locate. Professional mold inspectors do not only search for molds, but they uncover other possible causes of the problem that homeowners may not have known. By doing this, you prevent recurrent cases of water damage and molds in your home.
The bottom line
To be sure that you are through with repairing water damage in your home, you need to invite 3West Environmental to provide a professional mold inspection. Since water damage and mold growth go hand-in-hand, a professional mold inspection will help you prevent future cases of water damage.
Call 3West Environmental today at 833-3WESTCA to schedule your comprehensive mold inspection or contact us for more information.
Article by: Pinnacle Management
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