Signs That Your Home Has Mold In It (and how to deal with it)
Concerned about mold in your home or apartment? Here are several warning indications that you may have a damp or fungal problem. Is there mold in your home? Mold may be a costly and persistent problem if you own your home or apartment. It is not only the cost; several types of mold are quite harmful to your health if consumed over time, so you need to get it taken care of. If you have any doubts about whether you have mold, what type you have, or where it is concentrated, you should use one of the finest mold test kits to find out. They are all cheap and can help you get started on fixing the problem.
However, in order to begin your inquiry, you must be aware of the early warning indicators. Mold may develop in locations you seldom investigate, such as behind stud walls, chimneys, or large pieces of furniture such as closets. Mold may grow in a variety of places, including your HVAC unit, and then spread throughout your home. Many test kits will take a sample from your air conditioner, but some will not. If the mold becomes too severe, you may need to replace your home’s heating and cooling system; in this case, you should review our guide to the finest central air conditioning units. Hopefully, you will notice one of the indicators of mold in your house early on and have it treated before it spreads. Your best bet at getting rid of it is mold removal services.
- Musty and stale scents
Mold creates a strange and terrible odor, whether visible or not. If a room in your house consistently smells musty, there is a significant chance that mold is present. You may track the stink to its source, locate the mold, and remove it. However, if the mold is in an inaccessible location, such as inside walls, you will need to hire a specialist to assist you in removing the growth.
- Condensation and lingering moisture
A wet home is a perfect breeding environment for mold and can be a sign that mold is already present in your home, whether there is excess moisture on your windows or condensation pouring from your pipes. The finest dehumidifiers are an excellent way to eliminate excess moisture since they adjust the humidity in your house to the amount you specify on the dehumidifier. They are not, however, a permanent solution, and you should consider replacing your windows with double-glazed panes or having them professionally re-sealed. If you’re seeing moisture on pipes, a plumber can assist determine the problem here. In certain cases, wrapping pipes in insulation can help prevent moisture buildup, while in others, running warm-water pipes away from cold ones can help prevent excess moisture buildup.
- Previous water accumulation and discoloration
Mold is a threat to your house if it has ever had moisture issues, such as a toilet overflow or a sewage backup. Mold is more likely to be found in regions where water has been present for an extended period of time. Mold may develop beneath the floorboards and behind walls, if your property has ever flooded. If you suspect mold, look for discolored walls, ceilings, or floors; discoloration suggests that mold colonies are spreading underneath them. Look for bubbles and fractures in your paint and wallpaper, as well as warped and bulging walls. These also suggest that moisture has permeated the surface and that mold may be present. In these cases, an expert should be engaged to analyze your situation and advise you on how to solve it, as persistent moisture build-up is a serious concern.
- Symptoms of personal health
If there is mold in the home, it might affect your health. Mold allergies can include a runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing, dizziness, headaches, and even memory loss. These symptoms might be the result of a cold, but if you are exclusively symptomatic in your house, mold could be the reason. Some molds are poisonous and can cause more serious symptoms, which is why it is critical to eliminate mold from your house and keep it from returning. Black mold is the most hazardous variety, and if left untreated, it can cause major respiratory problems. Most mold test kits will detect this type of mold, so you should definitely check if you believe it is present in your house.
- Spots and hair on the walls
Mold comes in so many different types that identifying the type based on a specific shape, size, or color is difficult. It might take the form of a hairy, dark growth, a black stain, or particles of black, white, orange, green, or brown. Rather than looking for unusual, multi-colored flakes in every corner of your home, locate wet places and then seek indicators of mold. The fungus thrives in chilly, damp environments, so restricting your search to locations afflicted by excess moisture will make it much simpler to discover. Yes, paint and wallpaper get discolored and marred from daily use, but if the stains have a pattern or develop in the corners of a room, this is typically a strong sign that mold is present.
What to Do If You Have Mold in Your Home
Contact mold removal services. Do not just fight mold with bleach and expect it to go; you will most likely be treating the symptom rather than the fundamental cause. When you understand what you are up against, you can take proper action. You might also hire a mold professional to inspect your property for problems. Poorly designed pipes, gaps in your brickwork, dirt build-up against walls… all of these can cause damp and mold problems and a professional assessment will identify them and advise on how to prevent problems from occurring. Molds are not to be taken lightly. If you feel you have a mold problem in your house, you should contact a specialist. They will be able to assess your property and recommend the finest solution for your individual requirements. They not only understand molds, but they also have the appropriate tools to perform any cleanup work.