There are about 400,000 known species of mold. Mold grows almost everywhere in the natural environment, and about 1,000 species of mold known to grow in North American homes. There are many causes for household mold growth, and there are several signs to look for that can indicate a mold problem. The top 10 signs that you may have a mold problem in your home:
1. A Musty, Mildewy Odor
Sometimes this is the only indication that there may be a mold problem. Often mold grows in places that aren’t easily in sight, and this smell is the only sign that mold may be growing in the area. This odor doesn’t necessarily mean that mold is a major problem already.
When you smell a musty odor, you should begin to look for other signs that a mold problem could exist. If you find mold, whether there is a lot of it or not, remove it right away before the problems becomes larger.
Sometimes this odor can only be smelled when certain household systems are running. If you can only smell a musty odor when the heat or air conditioning is on, there is a chance that mold growth is occurring within the system. You may want to consult with a professional to have potentially toxic mold tested for in your air or heating system.
2. Black Spots in the Bathroom
Mold loves to grow in bathrooms. Your bathroom is a small area where increased moisture is common. There is also a lot of tile, grout and other porous surfaces that allow water penetration and can lead to mold growth.
The bathroom is a top spot for mold growth. This means that if you see black spots in the bathroom (or the laundry room, kitchen, or basement) you have mold. Clean up this mold as soon as you can using hot water, soap, and maybe even bleach. This mold is usually only bothersome to those with asthma or allergies, but it could lead to additional growth, and it is good measure to remove any mold before it creates problems.
3. Wet / Damp Objects Indoors
There are plenty of reasons why things end up damp or even sopping wet. These objects will quite often lead to mold growth, and mold can make you or your loved ones sick. The longer these items are left damp, the more time mold has to grow. If things have been wet for more than a couple of days, you can be almost sure that some amount of mold has started to grow. Wet rags, books, clothing, furniture, or carpeting are some of the items to be most wary of if they have been left lying wet for a period of time.
4. Warped Wood
Moisture causes wood to warp and swell. If enough water is present to cause the wood in your home to warp, there is more than enough water for mold to begin to grow. Most likely there will be the musty and mildew odor caused from the start of mold growth. If this amount of moisture is present in your home, there is a larger problem at hand and you need to find the source of the problem.
5. Discoloration or Stains on Ceilings and Walls
Excessive moisture can make stains appear on walls or ceilings. These stains are usually yellowish in color, but the stains may be differently colored if mold has already started to grow. In addition to discoloration, peeling or bubbling paint can be caused by moisture as well.
Some stains or discolorations are not easily seen. A simple black light can show discolorations and stains on walls, ceilings, and carpets that cannot be normally seen. With the lights off, this light can show a yellowish glow, an indicator that mold is growing.
6. Water Leaks
These leaks could be from the roof, cracks in the foundation, plumbing leaks, or other areas of your home. For mold to grow and flourish, moisture is necessary. Often a leak or crack introduces water into your home. Following a leak, comes mold, and if the leak is continuous or undetected, a large amount of mold will flourish. If you have a water leak or crack in your foundation, you should have it fixed as soon as you can. The longer a leak persists (or the more often it reoccurs), the more time mold has to keep growing and spreading.
7. Flooding
If you have a flood in your basement, or anywhere else in your home, you have very good odds of mold starting to grow. After a flood, you need to dry up the area as soon as possible and do all you can to improve ventilation. If the flood was caused by an underlying problem, such as a plumbing or drainage issue, you should have that issue fixed to prevent additional flooding.
After flooding, be sure to keep an eye out for mold growth. Even if you dry out the area thoroughly, that is not a guarantee that mold will not develop. Keep an eye out for mold growth to be sure that you do not develop a problem that can threaten the health of you and your family.
8. High Humidity
Potential mold problems are more likely for those living in a high humidity region. If the outdoor humidity is high, the humidity in your home will be high as well. High humidity is an ideal environment for mold growth.
If you live in a high humidity area, dehumidifiers and humidity sensors may be a very wise purchase. Even after taking these measures, you should still be on the lookout for mold growth. Mold favors a warm moist area to grow and thrive.
9. Symptoms of Allergies or Illness
If symptoms are the worst only when at home, there is a good chance that mold is the problem. Allergy symptoms such as eye and sinus irritation, congestion, and other allergy symptoms could be due to mold. Other symptoms due to mold related illnesses could also spring up in several individuals. Symptoms of mold related illness include, but are not limited to: headaches, dizziness, and difficulty breathing.
10. A Mold Test
The best way to know for sure that you have mold is from a mold test. You cannot know the full extent of a mold problem, if you do indeed have one, but you can determine if you do have mold, particularly if the mold is growing somewhere that is difficult to see.
There are several types of mold test; some sample surfaces and others try to measure spores in the air. These tests can often be expensive, which is unfortunate as usually the mold test only confirms the mold problem that you already strongly suspect. This means that it is best to try to find sources of humidity or moisture and fix them in order to end the problem before spending money on expensive tests.
If you must resort to tests, it is best to purchase one that tells you what species of mold is present. This can assist to treat any symptoms that you or your family members are experiencing. This can also be helpful as certain molds are much more dangerous to others, and if you detect certain types of toxic mold, you may want to seek medical attention.
Conclusion
There are several signs that you may have a mold problem. The most tell-tale sign is seeing mold growth, of course, but often mold grows in areas where you cannot see. Some mold can be an irritant to those who have allergies, but other molds can be dangerous to everyone, which means that it is important to detect mold as soon as it is a problem.
These top 10 ways to detect mold are not exhaustive, but they are a good start. Anytime you have a flood, leak, or other high moisture incident in your home, you should do what you can to check for mold growth in your home. Additionally, if you have anyone in your home displaying symptoms that are associated with mold-related allergies or illnesses, you should inspect to see if mold is in your home.
If you do find mold, you should do everything you can to remove the mold. Stop any underlying problems such as leaks or reoccurring floods. Damp or moldy objects like books, clothes, or furniture should be discarded, and other surfaces should be cleaned and dried thoroughly.
Mold can be a huge problem, and some molds can make you and your loved ones very ill. You should do all you can to protect yourself and your family from harm, and that includes detecting and eliminating mold and mold causing conditions as soon as these conditions are found.
