Knowing ways to spot mold in your home is helpful to every homeowner. Mold can flourish in small, hidden areas of the home, and it can cause a lot of health problems if it grows unchecked. Once you can identify mold, you can take steps to get rid of it in your home.
4 Easy Ways to Spot Mold at Home
You may have mold in your home if you notice any of these signs.
Moldy Smells
Mold often has a distinctive smell, so this is an easy way to find mold in your home even if the mold is growing out of sight. A mold smell is often earthy, musky, and slightly rotten, and many people describe it as smelling like rotten leaves. You may get whiffs of it whenever you enter the home, and it can be stronger near the source of the mold.
Visible Mold Growth
You might think this is one of the most obvious signs of mold, but people often do not notice mold growth. At first, it might just look like a smudge of dirt or soot along a wall, and it can easily be mistaken for a spot of dust. Mold may look white, black, brown, green, or grey, and in some rare cases, it might be orange, pink, or purple. It can grow in small clusters, dots, or threads.
Constant Health Problems
Many people believe this is one of the easiest ways to spot mold, but the reality is that not all types of mold cause health issues. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America explains that only around 40 species of mold will cause health issues. If one of those species is growing in your home, you may notice that you have sore throats, stuffy noses, asthma attacks, runny eyes, and lung infections. Illnesses caused by mold tend to be chronic, so they will not go away at the end of the season or after a few weeks. If you notice symptoms worsen when you’re at home, you may have a mold problem. Children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing lung problems are more likely to suffer from mold-related health issues.
Water Leaks
Mold flourishes in any damp environment, so a water leak or any type of flooding is a red flag that you might be about to deal with a mold problem. Look for leaks in walls, plumbing, molding, and trim all over your house. Keep in mind that mold can grow under walls or flooring, so mold may still be growing even if it isn’t visible.
What to Do If You Think You Have Mold
Hiring a professional mold inspector is your best bet if you think you may have mold in your home. Thermal imaging devices can pinpoint areas of water damage and water leaks, which are prime areas where mold is likely to thrive. Once the location and extent of the mold is determined, you may have some different options depending on what type of mold it is. Sometimes mold can be removed with a solution of bleach while some situations will require more thorough professional mitigation and renovations.
First Choice Home Inspections provides Mold and Allergen Inspections to Middle Tennessee and we include thermal imaging with every home inspection. Contact us to schedule a mold inspection or any of our other home inspection services.