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Written by SuperMold
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Fact: homeowner procrastination can ruin a house.
Owning a house is expensive, which is why so
many homeowners procrastinate on repairs. Some
fixes, however, should never be delayed. Ignoring these problems can
result in much more expensive repairs later on.
Just to reinforce the fact that water damage is the cause or mold
(which is simply the effect), and that the very first goal of a
homeowner should be preventing water leaks and damage at any
cost, here's something important about mold and water every homeowner should read.
A water leak -- anywhere
A
stain on your ceiling. A toilet that rocks. White powdery stuff that
grows on your bricks or foundation. A musty smell in your house.
Whatever the source, the culprit is water, and the damage can be severe.
"Water
is probably the single most destructive force to a house," said
inspector Jeff Del Guercio, owner of An Objective Inspection in Throop,
Pa., and president of the local National Association of Home Inspectors
chapter. "And a leak can go on for a long time without being noticed."
Left
unchecked, leaks can lead to rot, dry rot, mold and termite
infestations. Water can cause roofs to collapse, foundations to buckle
and all manner of expensive repairs. What's more, water-related
problems can get your home blackballed by insurance companies worried
about the soaring number of mold-related claims nationwide.
The fix:
Isn't it obvious? Stop the leak by any means necessary, repair the
damage and take the required steps to make sure the problem doesn't
reappear. Minor roof leaks, for example, can be patched with roof
cement, but if your roof is aged and failing, you may need to have it
replaced. That's expensive, but not as bad as replacing the trusses and
underlying roof structure that can rot away if not protected.
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