Save Yourself from Unwanted Moisture Damage

Keeping unwanted, harmful moisture out of your home is incredibly important in Illinois’s climate, but if it does happen to get in you need a way to figure out where it is and where it’s coming from. Remember: moisture buildup in your house can lead to a number of mold, foundation, and health problems.

Once you find the source of the moisture, make sure you call the roofing experts in Barrington to make any repairs you need: Gold Standard Restoration. We can also help with gutters, siding, and every other restoration service.

[Read more of How to Identify Moisture Problem Spots here]

Taken from the article:
"Checklist of Moisture Trouble Spots

Note: Mold feeds on starches and sugars in gypsum board, wood and wallpaper glues, but it can also grow on cloth, carpet and dust.

Basement
Many paints that are used on basement walls will sometimes be a host for molds. If there's no paint on the walls, the mold probably won't grow as quickly. Air drying wet clothes in an already damp basement is another way to add unwanted moisture to a room. Approximately 40 percent of the moisture in a home can come from the basement alone.

Windows
"They're a catch basin for water," Jim says. "A lot of water can gather here." Even if your windows have a drain, make sure the drain is clear of any debris and dirt.

Foundation
Because the foundations of homes are porous, they can absorb water from the outside and bring the moisture into the home. Don't let efflorescence (a powder that crystallizes when exposed to air — looks like salt) fool you into thinking you have mold. This salt-like substance, however, is a sign that there is a moisture problem.

Chimneys (for a furnace or water heater)
This is another high humidity hot spot that can lead to mold problems. If there is even a slight debris buildup or if there's a blockage in the chimney, the gas that's being burned is not getting out, which means that carbon monoxide is getting back into the house. If there's a sudden moisture problem, it's sometimes related to something collapsing inside the chimney that causes a blockage. It's a good idea to take a flashlight and look in the chimney for excess debris. In fact, it's best to have a professional sweep your chimney on a regular basis.

Walls (exterior and foundation, inside and out)
Look for peeling paint, deteriorated siding, rotted window sills, rotted window trim or door trim, brick-stone-mortar damage, rotted sheathing on the roof and rotted framing members. On the foundation walls, look for holes, spalling mortar joints, deteriorating masonry surfaces, peeling paint, collapsing window wells and rotted window or door sills.

Roof Surfaces
Wet or rotting sheathing, rafters, eaves and soffits are what you want to look for on the roof.

Gutters
Make sure your gutters are always clean and free of debris to eliminate any backups of water that can leak into the house. Tip: Gutter guards are great for keeping debris out of your gutters. Also, make sure the downspouts are clean and clear at all times for proper drainage. Another good idea to check the storm drains to make sure they are working properly."

Article Source here: Save Yourself from Unwanted Moisture Damage