Culver City Homes
West L.A. is known for upscale restaurants, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Movie lots, mansions and estates and of course UCLA. Many of these houses were build in days gone by. With many homes dating back to the 20′s and in the Hollywood heyday of the 1930s. What an opportunity to touch the era of glamour and decadence. Just be aware of some of the problems faced when purchasing early 1900 or mid-century real estate.
One issue that must be addressed when purchasing an older home say in the Culver City CA Real Estate market area is that of moisture and mold. Remember many of these homes were built before the days of beforde we understood moisture problems. This along with the high humidity of the coastal area, it is something one needs to be aware of.
For our purposes lets explore the subject of mold and mildew in homes.
Mold growth is all about moisture, so if you live in an area prone to high humidity, then the chances of your home developing a mold problem are much higher. Anything over a 55% RH level promotes mold and fungi growth. Often, heating and cooling systems will mask that there is a humidity problem, and it’s not until you actually test the room with a humidity sensor or plug in a dehumidifier that the condition is obvious.
Physical Signs of Mold:
- Mildew or musty smells in the house can be a sign of a mold problem.
- Increased or chronic allergy or respiratory problems, especially by all or most household members is a common sign that there is a problem.
- When levels of toxins from black mold or other fungi reach high levels, toxic poisoning can occur. Common signs include headaches, decreased attention span, difficulty in concentration, and dizziness.
12 Signs of Mold in Your Home:
1. Water pipe leaks, especially those that have gone undetected.
2. Areas of the house that may have been damaged from flooding.
3. If your house has ever had a leaky roof, one logical place to look for signs of mold is the attic.
4. Use of humidifiers can raise the moisture level to a point where mold growth is encouraged
5. A damp basement or crawl space can be a haven for mold growth and go undetected for long periods of time.
6. Yellow colored stains on walls, ceilings, and carpets are a sign of excessive moisture. A green, brown or blackish color may indicate the presence of mold. 7. Blocked gutters can cause water to be absorbed into walls through the roof or collect at the base of the foundation.
8. Signs of condensation around windows, walls or pipes, or rusting metal
9. Warped wood is a sure sign of excess moisture.
10. Mold growth behind tiles in a humid bathroom is a common area for detection
11. If the steam from dryers or other appliances are vented indoors, this also can be a sign of a problem area.
12. Be on the lookout for the presence of any wet articles in the house.
What to Do:
When you see actual spores of mold growing, perhaps in a small area of the bathroom or shower, take immediate action before it spreads any further. You’ll need to identify the cause of the problem and check to see if it has spread to any other areas. Thoroughly clean and disinfect the area and dry completely. Any spores left behind will continue to grow once the area is exposed to any moisture.
Taking an actual sampling of the mold and sending it off for testing can be expensive, and may only tell you what you already know. You may be better off identifying the extent of the problem and fixing it right from the start.
