Warning Signs That Mold is Hiding in Your House
Many places in your house may become a breeding ground for mold. Damp areas are perfect environments for mold building up.
Household mold can cause health problems which can become severe if ignored. This is why it is essential to locate and get rid of mold in your home.
Consult a professional now to have your home examined for mold, and pay attention to these important warning signs that will help you tell if, and where, mold is growing in your home.
Warning Signs
Mold grows in damp places and can grow and stick itself onto any surface. The most obvious warning sign that you can see is the mold building up on the surface of an area.
Mold differ in colour and can be white, grey, brown, or black and has a fluffy, cotton-like texture.
Mold can be located in places of the house that have much moisture, which can be nearly everywhere.
For example, moisture can be inside walls or under your floorboards. Bubbling paint and squishy floorboards are a warning sign that there is moisture beneath them.
It is easy to say that this is due to increased humidity, or the results of a rain spell, however, increased moisture can be the first sign of mold building up in your house so it is essential to have this checked to prevent more damage.
If there is mold in your house, depending on the condition of it, you may start to notice the smell. As mold is located in damp places, it produces a musty smell that will become noticeable.
Areas to keep an eye, and nose, on in your home are the basement, bathrooms, windows, and the attic.
These are common spots, but continuing to check your whole house is still very important. Here’s how to examine each area where household mold is most common.
Basement
As mold grows in places that have increased moisture, basements are one of the common areas to find mold. Basements, which are normally below ground level, have more flooding and are typically cold and damp places.
They also take more time to dry out compared to other places of the house as they receive little to no sunlight. When it comes to cleaning, they’re often the ignored room, causing increased bacteria and dust which help mold growth.
If your basement has seen any flooding or leaks, it will be more vulnerable to mold growth. Concrete floors are good material for mold growth as they’re generally cooler than the hot humid air above. This leads to condensation and moisture to occur which can cause mold building up.
Examine the corners of the basement, a particularly popular place for mold to collect.
Bathroom
Bathrooms with showers or baths are more the perfect place to mold building up due to the moist environment. After a hot shower, steam collects in the small space and if not well ventilated, can cause accumulated moisture, which increases the possibilities of mold growth.
While bathrooms generally have ventilation, it is not always in removing all moisture from the bathroom. Inspecting your ventilation and regularly cleaning the sink, tub, and cabinets will help prevent mold from thriving.
Windows
Many people are aware that, condensation on windows is very common, particularly in winter months.
This condensationcan cause moisture to increase on the surface which in turn can lead to mold growth around the window.
Leaving mold surrounding your windows will not only appear unpleasant, but it will make your house smell and could cause health problems. Regularly checking your windows for any spots of mold or moisture can prevent spotting and mold building up.
Attic
Being close to the roof, the attic is another spot in your house that is very prone to mold. During heavy rainfalls, leaks can enter your roof into your attic.
Most homeowners will examine the roof for any damage that may lead to leaks, however, no sign of damage doesn’t necessarily mean there are no leaks!
Small leaks over time can cause increased moisture in the attic. Moisture can affect the insulation in your attic, making it appear lumpy. Checking your attic space is just as essential during these times.
Health
If you find mold in any of these places, you may start to notice that your health is being affected. These signs are less noticeable because it is easy to dismiss them as a common cold or allergy symptoms.
Symptoms are watery and itchy eyes, coughing, nasal congestion, hives on contact, and increased or worsened asthma.
If you notice that these symptoms are worse when you are in your house, that is perhaps a sign that there is mold.
Acting quickly on these warning signs will help you find and treat mold in your house before it becomes worse.
Keeping your home clean and dry will keep you and your family healthy. Contact a mold inspector to discuss your situation or hire a professional to remove mold from your home now.