A musty smell that lingers? Dark spots on the wall or ceiling you can’t put a finger on that appear to be spreading? And have your family taken to sneezing, coughing and getting irritated eyes when they are in the house?
Then there is a good chance you have mold on your hands. We at United Water Restoration Group of Long Island have been putting our expertise to work for homeowners in Nassau and Suffolk County to put an end to mold, identifying and eradicating it since 2019. Give us a ring at (631) 832-4649 if you would like someone to look at it with a professional eye.
For a home on Long Island, mold is as insidious as they come. Between the heavy storms, coastal moisture and the humidity of our summers, it has ample opportunity to get a foothold. The sooner you are on top of it, the less of a hassle it will be.
The Unexplainable Musty Smell
Often you will detect a smell long before you see any evidence of mold. It is a damp, earthy kind of odor. Should a closet, basement or room retain that mustiness after you have given it a cleaning, there may be mold concealed in the air ducts, under the floor or behind the walls. In a way the odor is a blessing; it is an early indication that something is growing out of sight and an inspection is in order.
What You Can See
In some cases mold is hard to miss. Be on the lookout for:
- Spots of black, gray or green on ceilings and walls
- Fuzzy white patches by the baseboards or in a corner
- Paint or wallpaper that is peeling, bubbling or cracking
- Staining or discoloration of a recurrent nature
- Drywall or flooring that has become spongy or warped
Do not be fooled into thinking all mold is dark, some of it is white or has a pinkish tinge. And don’t make the mistake of scrubbing an odd growth and being done with it. What you are seeing could be the tip of a larger issue behind the wall.
Moisture and Water Damage
Where there is water, mold will be there too. Whether from a leak in an appliance, a flood or storm damage, the conditions are ripe for mold even once the area is dry. Some red flags to watch for are condensation on pipes and windows, water stains, a sticky feeling of high humidity in a room, or a spot in the basement or crawl space that is damp.
Homeowners will put in the work to clean up a minor leak and think they are in the clear. But should any moisture have been left in the structure, mold is likely already making itself at home where you can’t see it.
Health Issues When You Get Home
You may not have seen a speck of mold on the wall but your body will let you know. If you and your family are better for having left the house than when you are in it, take note. Exposure to mold can bring on:
- A runny or stuffy nose, coughing and sneezes
- Watery, itchy eyes
- Headaches
- Skin irritation
- Asthma and allergies acting up
When you walk back in the door and the symptoms set in again, you would do well to rule out the possibility of mold in the home.
Why the Risk is Higher Here
There are advantages to living by the water but the salt air and humidity are what mold thrives on. An older property, one with a finished basement or that has been through its share of coastal storms is more vulnerable. Our service area covers the full extent of the island from Massapequa to Montauk, Huntington to Riverhead.
Make the Call
Some surface mold in the bathroom is no great shakes. But if you suspect it is behind the walls, or you can smell it and see it on the move, leave it to a pro. It won’t just go away and it can compromise the structure of your home and the quality of the air in it.
United Water Restoration Group of Long Island is a licensed and insured IICRC Certified Firm with a New York Mold Remediation Contractor License. With an A+ from the BBB and four times named Best Restoration Company of Long Island, we are here to help. There is always a live person on the phone 24/7. We provide free visual assessments and inspections and can have you in for an appointment the same day.
To stave off a big problem down the road, contact us today at (631) 832-4649 and we will have your home and family protected.
