Day or night, 24 / 7, we’ve got your pipes covered.
For many Los Angeles residents, hiring a plumber is stressful, but not for why you might think. Sure, you’re entrusting a stranger with your home, but what if they try to repair a leaky pipe, only to detect another problem. Something much worse.
What if your plumber suddenly says to you, “You’ve got mold.”
Mold has become somewhat of a villain among homeowners, and for good reason. It can be highly toxic and dangerous to people (even deadly in some cases). It’s not only hazardous to our health, but removing it can be very costly. You may have to move out of your Santa Monica home, vacate your Beverly Hills mansion, or even tear down your Hollywood condo. To avoid a worst-case scenario, arm yourself with knowledge. Here are a few good things to know about mold.
Moisture
The number one cause of mold is moisture, which is why homes in areas like the Pacific Northwest are so susceptible to it. Constant rain provides a friendly environment for which hazardous spores can grow. While California’s current drought may be devastating, it does have one silver lining. Our dry conditions help keep mold from invading our homes. But that doesn’t mean we’re immune. The truth is mold can grow anywhere at any time. If your residence has experienced excess moisture for whatever reason, make sure that you investigate its effects.
Plumbing problems
Culver City may have a dry climate, but its homes can still be hit with mold outbreaks. The same goes for Hermosa Beach, Playa Vista, or pretty much any other neighborhood in L.A. Blame it on plumbing problems. As we said, excess moisture creates spores. So what causes moisture? Leaky pipes, floods, even bathrooms without sufficient ventilation.
A major plumbing emergency is obviously a headache. Even with the help of the best plumber Los Angeles has to offer, a burst pipe or overflowing toilet can still disrupt your day and cause serious damage. But the real kicker is the potentially long-term damage. Even once the affected areas have dried, the residual moisture can cause spores to occur down the road. If you’ve experienced any serious water damage in the past, it’s a good idea to have a plumber inspect for mold every once in a while, just to be safe.
But what does it look like?
In some instances, mold can be devious. It grows out of site, possibly behind walls or in spaces that just aren’t visible to you (unfortunately, you may experience its presence no matter what you can or can’t see). However, if an outbreak does occur out in the open, it’s hard to miss. The spores look like black or gray dots, and they tend to appear in clusters. If you live in an older house, don’t dismiss this as simply an effect of, say, aged dry wall in your bathroom. Call a professional at the first signs of an outbreak.
