3 Reasons to Inspect for Mold this Spring

After a long New Hampshire (NH) winter it is advisable to check your property for damage. Taking the time to walk around your building with a watchful eye may help you discover unknown problems that could worsen over time. One example of this is mold damage. Mold can start to grow if excessive moisture has been able to penetrate your home or office. If possible, we encourage you to perform a brief visual inspection for signs of mold. Mold growth is often the result of undetected or unmitigated water intrusion. This is a very common occurrence in the spring. Below we list three threats that should encourage you to inspect for mold sooner than later.

• Ice Dams – This winter saw record water damage situations from ice dams. Some signs of water damage from ice dams include cracked drywall, peeling paint or water staining on ceilings or walls. If these indicators are or were present in your home it may be time to take a look in your attic. Often times the wood sheathing in the attic will become saturated. This elevated moisture content could result in mold in the attic. To visually inspect for mold, look for black mold patches or irregularity to the wood color.
• Frozen Pipes – Pipes running in exterior walls, attics, basement and crawl spaces are susceptible to breaking during deep freezes. Most frozen pipe situations are detected immediately because of the ensuing water damage. Nevertheless, some frozen pipe situations are more subtle. Smaller breaks could result in minor leaks. These minor leaks could cause moisture issues that lead to mold growth. If possible, inspect your exposed plumbing in areas such as your basement. Look for any dripping while the water is running. Look for any puddles or signs of water leaks. It is also important to inspect you exterior water spigots. They frequently freeze and crack over the winter. When you run you exterior spigot for the first time this spring make sure to have someone monitor the plumbing on the interior of the property. You want to ensure it is not flooding your basement.
• Water in Basement – April showers bring May floods. Snowmelt and heavy spring rains results in a high water table for many New Hampshire (NH) communities. We encourage you to regularity monitor you basement for moisture issues. Water intrusion in your basement could result in mold problems down the road. If water damage to your basement is a concern, we have outlined tips to help you battle the flooding.

Above are just three reasons New Hampshire (NH) property owners should inspect for mold this spring. Mold can be a hazard to health and cause structural issues. When performing your visual inspection for signs of mold and water damage, please ensure to take all the necessary health and safety precautions into consideration. If you discover a potential mold issue, do not hesitate to contact the mold remediation professionals at Soil-Away. Soil-Away has been helping residents of south/central New Hampshire recover from mold and water damage since 1990.