Musty odors, mildew and mold muck up our furniture, clothes and carpets. Moisture causes mildew to grow indoors and outdoors. Mildew is black and can easily be mistaken for dirt. To identify mildew, apply a drop of household bleach to the discolored area. If the discoloration disappears, it is mildew and must be removed before painting.
Life can seem like one big damp sponge.
In Hampton Roads, high humidity and an average annual rainfall of 44 inches mean many homes face moisture messes. In fact, subterranean worker termites live in colonies, or nests, where moisture is available. They eat wood but the wood is not where they live. That's why the soil has to be treated to eliminate the termite colony. The crawlspace is usually a prime place for water vapor and moisture.