If you are like most homeowners, you probably know about the health implications of mold. Mold spores can pose a serious health risk when they are present in your home. But sometimes you might not know the signs of mold in your home, and it can grow right under your nose.
Even if they aren’t directly affecting your health, mold can have some seriously negative effects on your home and everyday life. Fortunately, there are some pretty easy ways to check for mold and take preventative measures against mold. These sneaky signs that you might have mold in your home could save you from a much bigger problem down the road.
1. You Have Traces of Moisture in Your Home
One of the first things you can do to check for mold is to look for signs of water damage in your home. Mold needs a source of water to grow. Without water, it won’t survive.
If you noticed spots on your walls that look like mildew or signs of water damage in your home, be on the lookout for mold. When you’re trying to find the source of the water damage, you can do some pretty simple things to check for leaks. You can find leaks coming from your roof, around the window frames or plumbing throughout your home. House flooding can also cause mold to grow.
2. Visible Mold Growth (When You Don’t Know What Mold Looks Like)
If you’ve gotten as far as checking for water damage, you’re probably pretty close to finding mold. If you see any visible mold growth in your home, then it’s time to consider mold remediation. Mold loves to grow in dark, moist areas, so it’s likely that if you see it, it’s been there for a while.
If you see any signs of mold growth, you should get it checked out by a professional right away. Mold can be pretty dangerous to your health. Some strains of mold can actually cause serious illnesses, like brain inflammation, allergic reactions, and more. If you see mold growth in your home, it’s best to have a professional take care of it as soon as possible.
What Does Mold Look Like?
If you are concerned that you might have a mold problem in your home, it is important to know what to look for. Mold can appear in many different colors, but it is often green or black. It can also be white if it has been covered with dust.
You might also see red or pink mold if there is iron in the structure of your home, such as in pipes. It is often easiest to identify mold by its musty smell. Pink mold most commonly grows in bathrooms.
Keep in mind that not all molds are dangerous. However, it is important to get rid of any that appear in your home.
3. You Smell Strange Odors in Your Home
If you start noticing a strange odor in your home, that’s another sign that you might have mold growing. Not only does mold give off a pungent smell, but it also produces toxic spores that can be dangerous to your health.
When you notice a musty, mildewy smell that seems to be coming from an area of your home, don’t ignore it. The smell may come from areas such as your basement, your attic, or another dark, damp space in your home.
What Does Mold Smell Like?
So, what does mold smell like, exactly? It’s a musty scent that some people also describe as earthy.
It is also comparable to the small of dirty socks or decaying wood. Some people report that it smells like rot, close to the odor of aging cheese. As you can see, mold comes in a variety of unpleasant scents. If you have any of these lingering odors, this is one of the signs old mold in your home.
4. There are Stains on Your Walls and Ceilings
Another sneaky sign that you might have mold in your home is that the stain on your walls or ceiling doesn’t go away. The stain might be black, brown, yellow, or another color that doesn’t seem to go away or cover up easily.
If you have a stain on your walls or ceiling, it might be more than a water stain. You should also be on the lookout for stains on the sides of your walls and your wood flooring. If you see those stains and can’t get rid of them, then there’s a chance you have mold in your home.
5. You Find Discoloration in the Ventilation System
If you notice that your ventilation system is discolored, there’s a chance you have mold in your home. Mold can grow pretty easily in ventilation systems, especially if there’s a buildup of moisture in those systems. If you notice a build-up of mold in your ventilation systems, it’s best to have it checked out by a professional as soon as possible.
When you ignore a mold problem in your ventilation system, it can spread to other areas of your home. This makes it much harder to get rid of, and pose a serious health risk to you and your family.
Do You Need Mold Remediation?
Mold remediation is the process of removing unwanted mold from a property. Meanwhile, mold can cause serious health problems, so it is important to get rid of it as quickly as possible.
Remediation can help ensure that your home stays safe and healthy. It can also speed up the restoration process, which can cut down on the cost of repairs.
Additionally, mold can be dangerous for people who are allergic to it. Remediation can reduce these risks by removing the mold and making sure everyone in the home is safe. Furthermore, remediation may include cleaning and disinfecting the surface and/or encapsulation to protect against re-growth.
It’s important to take care when dealing with mold because it can cause many different health problems, including headaches, rashes, and respiratory issues. When you discover signs of mold in your home, be sure to get professional assistance.
See Signs of Mold in Your Home? Contact Protegrity Restoration
Mold is dangerous, gross, and incredibly sneaky. If you notice any of the signs above, it’s important to take action as soon as possible. When you don’t deal with a mold problem as soon as you notice it, it can spread to other areas of your home and become much harder to get rid of.
It’s important to take preventative measures to keep mold from growing in your home in the first place. That way, you catch any problems early and don’t have to deal with a big, expensive cleanup down the road.
Now that you know what to look for, you can prevent mold from growing in your home before it gets out of control. If you ever notice any of these signs in your home, it’s important to contact us for mold remediation services.