If you can’t see mold, it doesn’t mean that your home is not infected by mold. It is not always necessary to see mold. Sometimes, it remains out of sight and secretly damages your home’s structure. Almost every other homeowner complains about mold problems, but they fail to eliminate them. Although mold isn’t always dangerous, it can still negatively impact your health and your home’s structural integrity if left untreated for a long time.
If toxic mold is hiding somewhere in your home, it may cause serious health problems, especially for those who suffer from allergies. So before mold spores grow and become a serious problem, it’s necessary to identify the signs of mold in your home or office. It is best to conduct mold testing to get an unbiased assessment of the condition, determine the type of mold, and establish the proper course of action to remove it. When mold isn’t visible or easy to spot, it is still possible for you to identify its presence. Some telltale signs can help you to identify mold presence. Below we’ve mentioned some signs that might indicate that you have mold in your home.
Strange Smell
If mold is hiding somewhere in your house, you may find a strange musty smell. Mold has a distinct smell, and even if you don’t see it, you can always smell it. Mold usually has an earthy, damp, tangy smell, and not all mold and mildew have the same smell. If there is a persistent strange smell in your home and you’re unsure what it is, make sure to inspect your home before the problem gets worse thoroughly.
Peeling Paint and Ugly Spots
The most obvious sign of mold growth is greenish-black spots. Mold spots can be easily seen on walls, and there is the slimy textured residue left by Stachybotrys chartarum mold. At first, you may mistake mold spots for ordinary dirt or soot, but it molds spores growing on the wall in reality. It is also possible that mold is spreading behind the wallpaper or under the attic. If you notice peeling wallpaper or discolored walls and ceiling, it means mold is hidden there. If left untreated, even a minor mold patch can quickly spread. Mold is found in varying colors such as black, white, gray-green, or grayish-brown.
Allergy Symptoms
If you are experiencing allergies, then possibly there’s a mold growing somewhere in your home. Common mold allergic reactions include sneezing, sore eyes, skin rashes, and a runny nose or nasal congestion. When your allergic reactions become severe at home, and you feel better outside, mold is to blame. This happens because mold is a common allergen that can exacerbate chronic problems and trigger allergies.
Water Issues
If you have faced any water problem such as leaking pipes or a leaking ceiling, you might face a mold problem shortly. Sometimes, water leaks also go undetected. There may be a leak behind a wall or other surface. Homes with moisture, condensation, or some other water problems are most likely to develop mold issues. Therefore, if you have water issues currently or had them in the past, please seek professional help. A professional mold inspector and remediation specialist can identify the hidden problems and remove mold.
