Can A Building Be Condemned For Mold?

You probably already know how harmful and unhealthy mold can be in any structure. But can a building be condemned for mold – can it really get that bad? The simple answer is: YES, it absolutely can. Check out this couple who lost their home to a severe black mold infestation! Here’s a quick look at three common problems and three simple solutions for the kind of moisture control problems that could lead your home or office down the path toward being condemned.

• PROBLEM #1: MOIST AIR.
  When your living and working environment isn’t clean and dry, it creates a great breeding ground for mold. All that mold spores need to thrive are the right temperature and moisture conditions, plus a source of food. So for example, when you leave your basement unchecked for weeks, months or even years, if there aren’t any measures taken to ensure proper moisture control, then you’ve given moldy substances a big fat invitation to have a party in the lower level of your structure – and that can mean enormous bills for you to repair it, or in the worst cases, enough rotting of the wood and other support systems of your building that it could be condemned.
  
  
• SOLUTION #1: BASEMENT WATERPROOFING AND CRAWL SPACE ENCAPSULATION SERVICES.
  When you hire a professional company like AdvantaClean for moisture control services, your lower level will stay clean and dry for years to come. When you’re equipped with the proper sump pump and dehumidifier for your unique space, then you’re protecting yourself against the pervasive threat of all kinds of mold and mildew that can so easily creep into the underside of the place where you live and work.
  
  
• PROBLEM #2: WATER LEAKS.
  There are so many places water can get into your home or business, like your attic, for example. What if there’s a small leak in your roof that you don’t identify for a long time? Rain and melting snow can seep into your home from above and cause major structural damage if it’s not identified early and fixed by a professional. Water damage can occur anywhere in your structure – even a little drip-drip under a bathroom sink or beneath a toilet can spread throughout your structure and start to cause issues that will require water removal and water damage restoration services.
  
  
• SOLUTION #2: PERIODIC INSPECTIONS OF ALL PIPE FITTINGS AND SURFACES.
  Set aside 30 minutes each month – that’s just a minute per day on average – to inspect the pipes and fittings throughout your home and office. Yes, that means you might need to get on your hands and knees, or pull out a stepladder and look in the attic for any discolored spots that might indicate a hidden water leak. When you’re ready to skip this task, try to remind yourself that your proactive efforts could pay off by heading off a major water damage situation that could wreck your budget and your structure. A water leak, or even just a spill that hasn’t been cleaned up properly, is a perfect place for mold to start developing. Imagine learning that you’ve had black mold growing just out of sight because you didn’t take the time to look at all your walls, ceilings and floors. It would be awful to know that you could have prevented it – but the good news is that you can by starting these monthly checks now!

• PROBLEM #3: CLUTTER.
  This may sound overly dramatic at first, but consider this: if the places where you live and work are filled with items that get stacked up on each other and end up sitting there for extended periods of time, the reality is that you’re increasing your risk of a mold infestation. Think about all the places that water might be collecting out of sight and allowing toxic spores like black mold to develop over time. When you eventually discover the issue, you could have a serious problem on your hands and it might be too late to salvage your structure.
  
  
• SOLUTION #3: CLEAN UP, AND CHECK UP!
  Simple problem, simple solution – make sure that everything has its place and can be easily accessed and inventoried. This will help you ensure you don’t end up like that couple in the article linked above who were shocked to discover black mold that they should have seen long before it started to erode their walls!

If you’ve got any concerns about mold in your home or business, then it’s time to contact the mold remediation experts at your local AdvantaClean service provider. Since 1994, we’ve been providing the best mold inspection, mold testing and mold removal services in the country. Our equipment is top of the line, our people are highly trained and certified mold remediators, and we’re passionate about giving you the cleanest, healthiest spaces for living and working. So give us a call today!

Call (877) 800-2382 to schedule an appointment with our NADCA Certified Mold Remediation Professionals at AdvantaClean today!