- 1). Look under sinks in the kitchen and bath and determine if the floor shows signs of water damage. If the wood under the sink is warped or peeling, there may have been a serious plumbing problem. Even if the plumbing was fixed, the water may have done damage to flooring or there may be moisture in the wall or ceiling that could cause mold to grow.
- 2). Inspect ceilings and look for water stains, marked by yellow or rust colored spots. If the stains are on a lower floor, it may be a sign of a plumbing problem on the floor above. If the stains are on the top floor, this may indicate a leaky roof.
- 3). Examine all parts of walls and look for signs of mold or mildew. If there is furniture against the wall, move it out so you can see behind it. Many times, people may hide mildew or mold stains behind furniture. Feel walls with your hands and evaluate if one part feels cooler than the rest. Sometimes even if there are no visible signs of moisture on the surface of the wall, there can be moisture behind it.
- 4). Get down on the floor and use your sense of smell to determine if there is a musty or wet smell in the carpeting. Even if someone has cleaned the carpet after a water incident, the pad underneath can retain moisture and cause mold to grow.
- 5). Suspect water damage if there are light fixtures or outlets that do not work. The fixtures or outlets may have been damaged by a water leak. The fixtures or outlets may not work for other reasons, but water damage should be considered, especially when other signs may be present in the home.
- 6). Question areas of walls and ceilings that show recent repairs. If there is a strong smell of bleach in areas of the home, it may have been used to temporarily clean mildew or mold stains.
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