Heritage Hill is the historic district on the hill just east of downtown Grand Rapids, with homes dating from the mid-1800s to the early 1900s in dozens of architectural styles. It's one of the largest urban historic districts in the country.
Houses this old come with stone or brick foundations, plaster walls, original woodwork and attics that were never built for modern insulation. Basements tend to be damp, and attics can grow mold once insulation goes in without fixing air leaks and ventilation. Removing mold here takes extra care to protect finishes that can't be replaced.
Call (616) 226-9528Ask the contractor how they'll contain the work and protect plaster and trim. In a historic home, cleaning and treating materials in place is often better than tearing them out.
Common questions
Will mold removal damage my original plaster or woodwork?
A careful contractor protects finishes and cleans solid materials in place where they can. Only damaged or badly affected porous materials need to come out.
Our old stone basement is always damp. Is that normal?
Very common in homes this age. A dehumidifier, good gutters and grading, and sometimes interior drainage can make a big difference.
Are there historic district rules for this work?
Interior mold work generally isn't affected. Exterior changes like windows or vents may need approval in the historic district.