Mold is easy to spot when it’s in a visible area, but if it’s somewhere hidden, it can pose a significant health risk to you and your household. Here are some signs that may indicate you have mold growing somewhere in your home.
Health Issues Develop
One of the biggest issues with mold is that it can cause a variety of health issues for those living in the house, as well as visitors. The symptoms that tend to develop when there is mold growing in your home tend to present as allergy-like symptoms such as a sneezing, a runny nose, itchy eyes, wheezing or difficulty breathing, coughing, an itchy throat (sometimes a sore throat), headaches, watery eyes, and blocked sinuses.
If you have developed any symptoms that you initially put down to an allergy, you should ask yourself whether it could be mold instead. This may well be the case if, when you leave the house, your symptoms are relieved.
Of course, allergies aren’t the only potential health issue when it comes to mold. Some problems can be much more serious, including internal organ damage, some cancers, cognitive decline, and, in the most severe cases, death.
A Mold Odor
The odor of mold is quite a distinct one; it’s musty and pungent, and it won’t go just because you’ve cleaned or sprayed air freshener around – it will always be there underneath it all. Not all molds smell, but the ones that are most common in a domestic home will, and if you can smell mold, you have mold.
Visible Signs Of Mold Growth
Of course, if you can see mold growing anywhere within your home, then there is a definite mold problem. This might seem obvious, but unless you know what you are looking for, not all molds are apparent when you are looking at them. Black or dark-colored mold can easily be seen and will usually appear in clusters in specific areas.
However, mold can also be white or light gray, and rather than clustering, they are more like thin threads. Mold can even be pink or orange, and you are most likely to see this in a bathroom, often on your shower curtain or on vinyl flooring.
Water Damage
If you have water damage in your home, particularly if it is a long-term problem, then mold is highly likely to follow. So, if you can see water stains, bubbling paint, peeling wallpaper, or any discoloration to the walls or ceiling, then there is a high probability that not only do you have these problems to contend with, you also have mold somewhere.
If you have a water leak in your home, then getting it repaired as soon as possible is crucial. The longer it goes on, the more damage it will cause, and the more likely it is that mold will start to grow.
How To Treat Mold
It’s clear that having mold in your home is a negative thing. Not only can it cause damage that will cost you to repair, but it can also be detrimental to the health of anyone living in the property. With this in mind, treating and removing the mold is vital. The best thing you can do, considering the health implications associated with mold, is to hire an expert for mold remediation. In this way, the job will be done to a high standard, and no one’s health will be put at risk.
Once the mold is removed and any reasons – such as a water leak or damp – have been dealt with, the problem should be solved, but it’s wise to always be on the lookout for the signs of mold we have mentioned above.