Mold can pose a serious risk to health, but unfortunately, many people do not know how to tell if they have a mold issue. This insidious type of fungi can grow indoors or out, behind your walls, under your counters, and pretty much anywhere there is humidity.
However, with a bit of work and the right knowledge, you might be able to tell whether or not your building is suffering from an infestation of mold. Here are five signs that you may have a mold problem.
Health Effects of Mold
One of the first signs mold has infested your home is allergies. Typically, when exposed to mold for a time, anyone will start to exhibit allergy-like symptoms.
The question some ask is if their allergy symptoms are caused by mold or by something outside their home. The answer to this is simple, do your symptoms get better or worse when you leave your home. If they get better, then the mold is the most likely cause.
Here are some symptoms of mold exposure:
- Coughing & Sneezing
- Difficulty Breathing
- Nasal Congestion
- Sore Throat
- Itchy & Watery Eyes
- Skin Irritation
These symptoms may not seem severe, but don’t be mistaken. Household mold can be highly toxic and cause life-threatening ailments. These can include organ damage and cancer, so take this issue seriously
5 Warning Signs of Mold
As we just covered, mold can be extremely dangerous, but do you have mold in your home? Though it can be hard to detect, especially when it is just starting to spread, luckily, there are some warning signs to look for. Here are five of them.
- Visible Growth: The most obvious sign is visible mold. Unfortunately, the appearance can vary from the most recognizable clusters of black spots. Look for these as well as spots of gray-brown, gray-green, and white. For mold behind the floor and wall coverings, look for pink, purple, and orange spots as well.
- Musty Odor: This is certainly not always present, but often mold produces a musty scent. If you can smell a persistent musty odor, this is a clear sign.
- Water Damage: Long-term moisture damage will always cause mold eventually. If you can see discoloration or water stains anywhere in your home as well as damage to your paint or wallpaper, this likely means mold is growing.
- Flooding: Where flooding has occurred, mold will almost always result. If your home has ever suffered flood damage, this is always a sign.
- Allergy Symptoms: As we discussed above, allergy-like symptoms will likely result from exposure.
Conclusion
Now you know some of the signs of mold exposure, and this can help protect both your home and your health. However, if you do find you have mold, it needs to be treated immediately by a professional. If you suspect you may have mold, don’t delay in scheduling a professional inspection of your home and remediation immediately.
Contact Us
For more information on inspecting for mold in your home or for professional mold remediation, call us at 1-800-847-0114 or connect with us on Facebook.
