Signs of Mold in Your Home
Mold is a common and natural find in the environment. It plays a big part in nature by breaking down dead organic matter as a natural recycling system. Indoor mold, however, should be avoided at all costs. Here are some signs that you may have mold growth inside of your home.
Visible Growth
This may seem like an obvious sign, but the truth is that some homeowners see mold and don't even recognize it. It could be growing between tiles, on walls, in bathtubs, under carpets, etc. It can be easy to brush it off as dirt, so you may have to look closely to identify it as mold. Greenish black areas of growth and slimy residue and mildew are all signs of mold growth. There's also a chance you may see a small amount of mold somewhere and chose to ignore it because it's in a such a small quantity. This is a huge mistake to make. However small the amount of mold you see, it is still dangerous, and means that there is enough moisture inside your home for more mold to grow. If a common mold can grow, so can toxic molds and black mold that can be extremely dangerous for your health.
Odor
Just because you can't see any mold, doesn't mean it's not there. Smell can be a big indicator of mold growth inside the home. In general, smell isn't the best way to determine if you have a mold problem, as the scent of indoor mold can differ depending on the type, and sometimes there is no noticeable odor at all. But oftentimes mold has a musty or moldy odor that gives it away. If you think you may be smelling mold, conduct a thorough search of your home or call a mold specialist.
Allergies/Sickness
The biggest fear of having mold in your home is its effects on your health. If you notice your allergies flare up when you're at home and subside when you leave, you could be dealing with a mold problem. It's a common allergen and can trigger many allergies. More serious mold can also be incredibly toxic, and cause a number of sicknesses. If you think your allergy or sickness may be coming from mold growth inside your home, be sure to examine your home for any other signs.
Water Leaks/Intrusion
Any kind of water infiltration in the home means a chance of mold growth. Moisture is the instigator of mold; without it mold cannot grow, but with water it thrives. If there is any kind of leak, flooding, condensation, or any other type of water intrusion, mold then has the opportunity to begin growing throughout your home. Leaks can be hard to find sometimes, but if a leak goes undiscovered it can eventually lead to mold. Be sure to thoroughly inspect your home if you suspect a leak, and don't leave water spills or water leftover from flooding alone for more than 24 hours.
Mold growth is a sneaky infiltrator. It can grow right under your nose as you go about your home. Even though it might be difficult to find and identify, acting from these signs will help you weed out mold growth before it becomes a much more serious problem. If you suspect you have mold growth, contact a Disaster Professional mold remediation expert today!