Healthy Homes: Spotting Wall and Ceiling Problems and Solving Them Fast

Owning your home is a great feeling, but it does come with responsibilities, which includes keeping your property in good condition and spotting any potential problems that could affect the state of the building and even your health.

Not spotting the signs of water damage, is just one example of where you might be arranging for ceiling fixers to put things right after it has burst through. In fact, there are numerous scenarios such as problems with mould and even just wear and tear, that you need to keep on top of as a homeowner, so that you can protect your investment and stay safe.

When something doesn’t smell right

If you notice a lingering aroma in your home that has nothing to do with last night’s dinner or the family dog, there is always the possibility that the smell issue is down to mould.

There is a fairly distinctive aroma attached to damp and moldy conditions, which is often what you could describe as a “musty” smell hitting your nostrils on a regular basis, or you might similarly term the smell as rather like wet cardboard or simply a stale pong that you can’t shift whatever you do.

The clue is in the fact that you are unable to shift the smell despite using air-fresheners and emptying the bins.

If you live in an older property, this often increases the probability that you might have some mould present, which may well be hiding within your walls, hence the reason you can smell and not always see the problem.

It should be remembered that if you do detect mould, it can be toxic, so you need to proceed with a degree of caution, especially if you see more than a small amount mould developing, which might require professional help to resolve.

Check your property regularly

Prevention is often better and less expensive than the cost of the cure, so you should aim to carry out a regular inspection and maintenance routine, which should help you to spot any potential problems before they worsen, and even avert a potential problem before it has a chance to happen.

In terms of sources of mould, there are several common culprits that are always worth looking at it, if you suspect or smell that you might have mould present.

Check to see if there are any obvious leaks with any of your plumbing, as even the slightest leakage can cause damp and mould to develop. Also don’t ignore problems with your guttering, as not sending water away from your property efficiently is a potential recipe for a disaster, if the water invades the inside of your property instead, or is allowed to run down the walls.

Poor ventilation is also a common cause of mould developing, so check how efficient your ventilation is in the key areas where damp conditions through water usage can occur, namely the kitchen and bathroom areas.

Mould can be seriously bad for your health

As well as being capable of causing considerable damage to your ceilings and walls, mould can also present a serious health risk to you and your family in the home.

Whilst not all people are likely to find that their overall health is adversely affected by mould, it can create some unpleasant and some persistent symptoms, which are not only unpleasant, but could potentially lead onto further health complications.

Mould can cause respiratory problems or induce an asthma attack. You could also experience regular headaches or migraines, feel constantly tired, suffer from a chronic cough or suffer sinus problems. These are just some of the known symptoms attached to the adverse health effects induced by mould being present in your home, so there is clearly a strong incentive to get to the root of the problem.

Tackling the problem

Check around the property on a regular basis for any signs of water damage, also check the roof to see if there are any leaks or broken tiles, which could be letting water in and allowing the potential for damp to develop.

Think about using humidifiers to help reduce damp conditions in vulnerable areas and make sure that your home is well ventilated.

Look inside your wardrobe or cupboards to see if there are any signs of moisture or mould developing and look at your ceilings and walls to see if there are any suspicious damp patches, which offers a big clue that something is not right.

It is always better to be proactive rather than reactive when it comes to problems with your home, and it may also prevent you from suffering some health problems, as well as keeping your property in good condition.

About the Author
Damian Metcalfe is a painter and decorator who has worked in the family business ever since he was 16 years old. He has years of experience under his belt now, and is sharing some of that knowledge online.