Kentwood is the city on the southeast side of Grand Rapids, with neighborhoods of single-family homes alongside a lot of apartments, condos and townhouses. Plaster Creek runs through the city on its way to the Grand River.
In attached homes, mold often starts from something you share or can't see: a leak from the unit above, a bathroom fan that vents into the attic, or a slab or basement wall that stays damp. In single-family homes it's the usual West Michigan pattern of basements and humid summers.
Call (616) 226-9528If you're in a condo or townhouse, it helps to know whether the moisture came from your unit or a neighbor's before the work starts, especially if an association or insurance claim is involved. The contractor's inspection report will say where the water came from.
Common questions
I'm in a condo. Who pays for mold removal?
It depends on where the water came from and your association's rules. Get the inspection first, so you know the source, then talk to your association or insurer.
Do you work in apartments?
Yes, with the owner's or landlord's agreement. Renters should report mold to their landlord in writing.
My bathroom ceiling keeps getting black spots. Why?
Usually the exhaust fan is too weak, isn't used, or vents into the attic. Cleaning the mold and fixing the fan go together.