3 Ways To Tell If You Have Mold

Is mold really something that you have to worry about? You know that mold is out there, but perhaps You didn’t really think you’d ever have to care.

However, with the potential damage that mold can cause not only to your home or structure but the health issues and complications that can arise, any mold problem must be addressed seriously. 

Especially if you have experienced some form of water damage, have old or brand new piping that hasn’t been tested, or have had recent remediation, the possibility of mold in your home is real, and you may not even be aware. 

If you’re interested in protecting the health of those in your home, read on to discover three ways to tell if you have mold.

Experiencing allergy-like symptoms out of the blue?

Maybe you thought, “Here it is again! Another cold!”...but, it could be much more than a common cold. 

One of the tell-tale signs of mold would be some form of allergic reactions. These vary depending on the type of mold, but the most common include:

• Nasal congestion
• Runny nose
• Itchy, burning eyes
• Sneezing

In extreme cases, toxic mold could be present in your home or space. This mold could lead to symptoms such as memory loss, dizziness, and headaches. 

These mycotoxins, toxins from toxic molds, can take a real toll on individuals and must be addressed immediately.

In addition, the CDC has reported that recent studies suggest a potential link between early mold exposure to the development of asthma in children. This is not an issue to be taken lightly. 

In practice, one way to test whether or not these symptoms are the result of mold would be to try to recognize how your symptoms change when you are outside or inside. 

If only experiencing the symptoms indoors, it could certainly point to mold as the culprit. 

Certain sights and smells can point back to mold

It’s true; sometimes, it’s as easy as following your nose. When left untreated, mold can begin to have a really distinct odor. However, depending on the type of mold, the odor could vary. 

Really, it is anything from ‘musty’ to ‘downright vile’. 

Apart from smells, mold can be visible as well. This might seem obvious, but many people are liable to overlook small amounts of mold growth in their homes as ‘dirt’ or ‘dust’. 

Ultimately, the appearance of mold can vary greatly. Mold can take many different forms, whether it be:

• White and thread-like
• Black and spotty
• Orange or purple splotches

Even these small amounts of mold, whether noticed through sight or smell, must be treated immediately. 

Allowing small amounts of mold to grow can lead to greater complications later, requiring more extensive treatment methods.

Extra moisture can lead to mold - find the source!

The last of three ways to tell if you have mold damage would be to look for signs of potential water damage, leaks, or other complications. 

If you have experienced any of these problems in the past, chances are there are some remnants of mold growth.

The potential impact of water damage lasts long before the water has been taken care of. 

Without proper treatment of the water damage by a certified team, mold is likely to develop in these areas. 

Some signs of water damage, and potential mold growth, include:

• Staining on drywall or other surfaces
• Discoloration of areas around piping
• Peeling or cracking paint
• Bulging or warping walls 

Importantly, if the water damage was hidden behind walls or under the floors, the mold is likely there, too. 

That’s why it is vital to have a team of certified professionals to take care of any mold damage ‘under the hood’. 

Take Mold Issues Seriously

The next time you start to experience some new symptoms, see or smell something distasteful in your home or space, or observe or suspect water damage, keep in mind that mold may be developing.

If there are suspicions of mold in your home, the best way to confirm is talk to a specialist or ask for mold inspection & testing.  

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