Moisture is a pervasive problem that can wreak havoc on your home if not addressed promptly. It can lead to structural damage, mold growth, and a host of health issues. Three of the most common areas where moisture problems often arise are the attic, basement, and crawl space. Understanding the causes and solutions for moisture in these areas can help you maintain a healthy and safe home environment. The Attic Causes of Moisture in the Attic Roof Leaks: One of the most common causes of moisture in the attic is a leaky roof. Damaged shingles, flashing, or vents can allow water to seep in during rainstorms. Poor Ventilation: Attics require proper ventilation to expel warm, moist air. Without adequate ventilation, moisture can accumulate, especially in colder months when warm air from the living space rises. Improper Insulation: Insufficient or improperly installed insulation can lead to condensation. When warm air from the house meets the cold surfaces of the attic, it can create mois...

With water damage claims on the rise, we hear a lot of talk these days about the dangers of mold.  Within 24 to 48 hours of water damage, mildew and mold can start growing on wood products, tiles, drywall, carpets, fabrics and other organic materials.  Even worse, it will continue to grow until steps are taken to eliminate the source of moisture, and effectively deal with the problem.  So what is the difference between mold and mildew?  Plain and simple, mildew and mold are both fungi. Fungi can live in many different types of environments such as in soil, on vegetation, and on surfaces exposed to moist conditions like a wall or ceiling after flood damage. Fungi reproduce by spores and can spread quickly. What is Mildew?  Mildew is mold in its early stage and often the term is used interchangeably with the word mold. That whitish-gray, powdery substance sometimes seen on the leaves of a plant is mildew. Mildew is a surface fungi that grows on organic material li...

The last thing you want to do when you step out of a nice warm shower is dry yourself off with a nasty-smelling towel. The stench can be overwhelming, and it really puts a damper on that “fresh from the shower” feeling. Luckily, this problem is easy to solve! With a few strategic cleaning cycles, the musty stench can be a thing of the past. Here’s how: The Golden Towel Rule: Do not let your towels stay wet! For each of these methods, it’s important that the towels are dried immediately. Set a timer to ensure that your clothes are switched from the washing machine to the dryer promptly. If you line dry, hang the wet towels in a sunny spot until they’re completely dry. Method #1: Vinegar Riding Solo Musty, smelly towels don’t play well with others, so give them their own load. Add one cup of white vinegar to the load – no detergent or fabric softener – and run the washer on the hottest possible setting. The vinegar will kill any lingering bacteria. Then, leave the clothes ...

When clothes smell musty, they have been wet or damp for too long, allowing mould or mildew to grow on them. Another reason for the musty smell can be that the washing machine or dryer (where the clothes have been in) contains mould or mildew. Several ways to get rid of musty smells in clothing: The washing machine and dryer should be checked for mould. If the clothes smell musty right after a wash, mould may be present in the washer. The mould can be cleaned by running an empty cycle with hot water and bleach or detergent. If that doesn’t work, the washer should be carefully disassembled and any traces of mould should be removed with hot water and a cleaning product. If the task is too difficult, the washer has to be serviced. In case the clothes smell musty because they are infested with mould, they need to be washed. A mould inhibiting product, such as bleach, vinegar, baking soda, ammonia or borax, should be added to the washing cycle. When using bleach, the “do not bleach”...