Mold is a serious problem. If left to grow, it can drastically reduce your indoor air quality and cause serious damage to the structure of your home. Thankfully, once detected, mold is often easy to eliminate. But how do you address a problem if you’re not aware it exists?
By learning about the telltale signs of a mold infestation, you can get ahead of this pesky problem. In this blog post, we’ll explore the five warning signs of mold that every homeowner should be aware of.
What Causes Mold?
Before diving into the signs of mold, let’s understand its root causes. Simply put, mold is a type of fungus that thrives in damp, humid environments. It loves poorly ventilated areas where water is present, like your bathroom, basement, or a leaky corner of your roof. A minor plumbing leak, flood, or even high humidity can create the ideal conditions for mold to flourish.
Damage caused by mold is sometimes covered by property insurance, as explained on this page written by a mold lawyer. However, filing a claim is complicated, and the damage may not be covered, so prevention is always the better strategy.
Mold Sign #1 – Musty Odor
One of the earliest indications of mold is a persistent musty odor. If you notice a peculiar smell that just won’t go away, especially in damp areas of your home, it could be mold lurking out of sight. Even if you don’t see it, that smell is a h2 clue that mold might be thriving behind the scenes.
Mold Sign #2 – Persistent Allergic Reactions
If you or your family members are experiencing persistent allergic symptoms such as sneezing, a runny nose, red eyes, or skin rash, and you can’t pinpoint the reason, mold could be the culprit. Prolonged exposure to mold spores can trigger these allergic reactions.
Mold Sign #3 – Visible Mold Growth
Perhaps the most obvious sign is actually seeing mold growth. This could be a small patch of black, white, or even multicolored specks on your walls, ceilings, or in corners.
Never underestimate a small patch of something on the wall. Some types of mold look just like smudges on the paint, but a small bit of visible mold could be an indication of a larger problem hidden from view.
Mold Sign #4 – Humidity Issues and Water Damage
If your home suffers from high humidity, frequent condensation on windows, or you have had water leaks or flooding in the past, you might have an environment conducive to mold growth. These conditions alone don’t confirm a mold problem, but they are likely to create a welcoming environment for spores to take hold.
Mold Sign #5 – Deterioration of Walls, Ceilings, or Floors
Mold feeds on organic materials such as wood and drywall. If you notice unexplained deteriorations of these surfaces like discoloration, peeling paint, or warping, mold could be feasting away, hidden from view.
Taking Action
What if you spot these signs but can’t confirm the location of the mold? That’s a common problem, and the easiest solution is to buy a mold testing kit. This can confirm the presence of mold in a room by measuring the presence of fungal spores present in the air.
Once you confirm the presence, you can either treat the mold yourself or call on professionals. Removing a small spot of mold can be easy, but keep in mind that some types of mold can be toxic. You’ll want to wear a mask, protect your eyes, and use products made for mold removal.