Use our home inspection checklist to ensure your home is free from water damage and mold.

IS YOUR HOMESAFE FROMDAMAGE?

Does Your Home Have Damage?

Mold and water damage are clear signs that your home either has a plumbing problem or other water intrusion issue. The sooner these are identified and addressed, the better chance you have of minimizing repair costs. To avoid incurring unnecessary expenses, do a cursory walk through of the interior and exterior of your home.

Knowing what to look for is important in identifying problem areas. Main areas to inspect on the interior are the ceilings, walls, cabinets, flooring and baseboards:

∗ inside bathroom and kitchen sink cabinets

∗ at the base of and behind toilets

∗ around showers and tubs

∗ above and beneath your water heater unit

∗ near dishwashers, refrigerators and washing ma-chines

∗ directly below windows

∗ around sliding glass doors

∗ near chimneys and fireplaces

Look for hidden damage in surrounding areas. It is a good idea to also inspect other rooms in the surrounding areas mentioned above in case water seeps through walls. Look for damage in rooms located on the other side of shared walls where sinks, toilets, showers, tubs and appliances are situated. Look behind furniture placed against walls or below windows or next to fireplaces.

CAN YOU IDENTIFY THE SIGNS?

Thoroughly check shared walls in your home. You may find wet flooring in your dining room on the other side of the wall directly behind your refrigerator even though you don't see water in the kitchen. Clothing or shoes in your bedroom closet may be moldy from a hot water pipe leaking inside the shared bathroom shower wall or from a plumbing line leak in the concrete slab. You could see a stain or bubbling paint on your ceiling directly below your upstairs bathtub or toilet. If your home is single story, a ceiling stain could either be plumbing related or you could have a leaky roof. If you are smelling a musty odor, this could also mean that you have a moisture problem or leak.

Conduct a visual check to see if your home passes the touch test. The following signs could indicate that you have issues that need immediate attention:

∗ dampness or wetness

∗ small puddles or standing water

∗ peeling or bubbling paint

∗ dark stains or discoloration

∗ black, green or white mold

∗ mushrooms

∗ mildew

∗ rust or corrosion of pipes

∗ moisture or water near pipes and fixtures

∗ warping or buckling

∗ soft, mushy or brittle materials

∗ rot or deterioration

www.TrustSOS.Solutions/Blog/

See our website for more information about how to recognize:

∗ mold problems in your home

∗ health symptoms associated with mold

∗ who are most at risk if exposed to mold

∗ the do’s and don'ts of proper mold removal

Ceiling stain and discoloration from leak

Bathrooms

∗ Install a fan or at a minimum, open a window, to circulate moisture while the shower is in use

∗ Scrub bathroom showers with household cleaner to prevent mold growth

∗ Inspect the base of cabinets, walls, baseboards and flooring located near cabinets, toilets, tubs

and showers for bubbled or peeling paint, discoloration, staining or deterioration associated with

long-term water leaks

∗ Wipe puddles of water immediately after showering

∗ Check caulking around tubs and showers regularly and re-apply as needed

∗ Check for leaks from hot and cold angle stops or water supply lines beneath bathroom sinks and

behind toilets

Kitchens

∗ Inspect the base of cabinets, walls, baseboards and flooring located near kitchen sink cabinets,

refrigerator and dishwasher for bubbled or peeling paint, discoloration, staining or deterioration

∗ Check for leaks beneath kitchen sinks near hot and cold angle stops, water supply lines and

garage disposals

Garages & Attics

∗ Check for leaks around hoses located above the water heater unit

∗ Check for moisture and evidence of water in the attic from roof leaks after it rains

Other Rooms & Living Space

∗ Remove wet carpet and carpet padding immediately upon noticing it is wet

∗ Look for water stains, peeling or bubbled paint, and discoloration at the base of walls and base-

boards on exterior walls from plumbing leaks or from water seeping through exterior walls or the

roof

Heat & Air Ventilation Systems:

∗ Clean and check heat & air conditioning units yearly and change filters monthly.

WATER & MOLD PREVENTION CHECKLIST

2. Check for Leaks and Repair Immediately. Some leaks within your home are difficult to detect, but easy to repair. One indication of a leak that is

often overlooked is a sudden increase in your water bill from one month to the next. It is important to

check your water bill on a regular basis for unexpected high usage. Detect toilet leaks by dropping

food coloring in the tank. Within 15 minutes, if there is color in the water of the toilet bowl, you likely

have a toilet leak. Look for stains, discoloration and water on the floor, inside or around cabinets

and in areas where dishwashers, washing machines, refrigerators, toilets, tubs, showers and sinks

are located.

3. Ensure Proper Drainage/Clean Gutters Gutters that tend to overflow or do not drain properly allow water to seep into your home. Use a hose

to flush out any leaves, plant debris and dirt that settles inside the roof gutters as these can block

water from draining properly. Make sure the gutter downspout is properly connected to the roof

gutters and that it is draining water away from your home’s foundation.

1. Replace Cracked Hoses A common culprit of water damage is plumbing issues. Many of them

can be avoided simply by replacing faulty hoses. Do not let a slow leak

go unattended as your Homeowners Insurance may not cover leaks

that go on longer than 5 to 7 days and may not pay to remove any mold

that grows as a result of a leak. Check for water near water supply

hoses located behind washing machines, above water heaters,

beneath kitchen and bathroom sinks and behind toilets every 6 months.

4. Make Sure Your Roof is “Weather Ready.” A leaky roof is often the cause for water seeping into your home

that can cause significant interior damage and, if not addressed,

over time can result in mold growth. Repair any leaks that you

are aware of and replace any cracked or missing shingles or tiles.

Remove leaves and other debris from the valleys and flat

sections of your roof. Apply new roof mastic around vents and

chimney flashing.

5. Know How Water Flows Around Your Home Floods are one of the most common natural disasters in the US and can strike at any

time. The best way to protect against water damage from a flood is to know how water

flows and drains around your property as the angle of the ground could be directing

water toward your home’s foundation. Take note of how water accumulates after a

rainstorm, especially near downspouts and in low areas. Clear twigs and leaf debris

from blocking landscape drains, which can allow water to pool and seep beneath your

home’s walls. Your Homeowner Insurance Policy may not cover flood so check into

buying Flood Insurance.

5-WATER DAMAGE PREVENTION TIPS

For more Mold Prevention Tips — www.TrustSOS.Solutions/Mold-Removal/

Read other articles on our Website: www.TrustSOS.Solutions/Blog/

“Do You Have Allergies or Mold?”

“Mold — What To Do & What Not To Do”

Have questions about filing an insurance claim?

www.TrustSOS.Solutions/Insurance-Claim-Help/

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“People do not realize that the symptoms many people have who have been exposed to mold are

very similar to allergy-like symptoms. Getting rid of mold quickly and the right way is a key factor in

preventing health issues.

Long-term exposure to mold can be fatal. Certain people like elderly, infants and anyone with a

low immune system have a higher sensitivity to mold. Learning the facts about mold, ways you

can prevent mold growth and how to properly remove mold are important when it comes to protect-

ing your health.” JENEE’ CHILD

CEO & FOUNDER

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1.888.589.1868

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