Mold can range from small dots to large clusters of fungi and is extremely dangerous if inhaled or ingested. It can thrive in almost everywhere with excess water and moisture. It can produce quickly and can infest your entire house in no time. Once your house is taken over by mold, your family’s health and finances are impacted. The sooner you identify the problem and taking mold remediation action the lesser its negative impact.
Are Molds Hazardous?
Thee are different types of molds, and some have severe hazards than others. Mold spore can easily mix with the air that you’re breathing inside your house. Once mold spores are inhaled, they can cause minor allergies to severe health hazards that can lead to death.
How Do Molds Grow?
Molds like all living organisms require food to grow. They grow in areas where there is moisture. There different kinds of moisture source inside your house, and they can be found in obvious locations such as the sink under the kitchen or bathroom, the attic, the basement, and crawl spaces. In fact, almost 50% of houses in flood-prone areas have a moisture problem. Although the hazards are not all the same, molds that grow indoors must be removed immediately regardless of what type of mold it is. Here are the 7 ways to determine if your house is infested by mold.
- Search for Mold – The quickest and easiest way to detect mold is to look for it. There are various visible signs of molds such as stains on the walls, peeling wallpaper and smelly odor. Check-in areas where visible signs of mold can be seen. Molds regardless of type are characterized by its cotton-like appearance and can appear from white, gray, green, and black colors. Black mold is the most dangerous kind of mold, so make sure to look for signs of mold growth in your home. Also, check for any furry looking or yellowing growth on sheetrock, fabrics, furniture, and other items inside your house that are exposed to water or moisture. Mold that grows on the walls will produce deformities.
- Trace Molds Through Its Smell – Remember the smell of your gym bag when you forgot to unpack your wet clothes? Molds can leave a very distinct scent that can be easily identified. In the instance that you detect a moldy odor, search for the source immediately. However, even f your home does not have a moldy scent; it does not mean that mold is not around. It may be lurking in the attic or basement. Be careful, since fragrance-free molds are still hazardous to health.
- Check the Basement – Are you living in a flood prone area? Does your home have water damage recently? If yes, then search your basement for excess water or moisture as mold will thrive in this area of the house. Even excess water is removed, the walls and other fixtures inside the basement can retain moisture making them a perfect breeding space for molds. Molds can grow deeper into the walls, so do not assume that they can be found on visible surfaces. For homeowners who have experienced flooding or any kind of water damage, check walls and ceilings of any type of discoloration.
- Be Wary of Windows Mist During Winter – Moisture inside the house is very common during winter. The excess humidity can cause moisture build up inside your home’s attic and crawl spaces making them damp which is a perfect condition for mold to grow. When you noticed fog on your windows during winter or rainy season, check them for possible mold contamination. Once you discover the source of moisture, make sure to fix it immediately. If not, you may end up with mold remediation services that can cost you a fortune.
- Use Mold Testing Kits – If you’re not comfortable in doing smell and visual tests, there different home mold test kits available in the market you can use. Mold testing kits are designed to track down the presence of hazardous molds that can cause serious health risks. Most mold test kits are user-friendly and deliver reliable results.
If the mold is hard to detect using home mold testing kits, you may want to consider hiring mold removal professionals to conduct a full home inspection. Tip Top Restoration is the best option. While the services they provide can cost more than home testing kits, you are assured that the results are accurate, and you can get a remediation procedure that is tailored to your current situation. Once the mold is removed, you will be provided with tips to prevent future mold growth.
- Hidden Molds – Mold remediation professionals will agree that perilous molds are the unseen ones such as those hiding in the HVAC duct and air conditioning units as well those inside the drywall. If undetected, these molds can proliferate. In many cases, hidden molds can be determined by their scent. Regular care and maintenance of the house, especially after a storm or flooding can prevent these molds from growing. So, make sure that you have regular maintenance of your house including areas such as the basement and the attic.
- Seek Professional Assistance – In the event you have a hard time detecting mold in your home, you call licensed mold inspectors to do the job for you. These professionals know how to locate hard to find mold and use state-of-the-art equipment such as infrared to detect molds inside the drywall. While this may cost you, you are assured that the result of the inspection is accurate.
To conclude, the easiest way to prevent the hazards of mold and mildew is being aware of the problem and taking the necessary steps to solve it. Be wary of the signs of mold growth in your surroundings. Preventing the problem is the only way you can save your family’s health from the risk of mold as well as the damages it can bring to the structure of your property.
