It only takes once the water starts accumulating in your home. Left unchecked, it can compromise the structural integrity of your home and the health of your loved ones.
It can also affect the value of your property and in extreme cases, render it uninhabitable. Unfortunately, it’s not easy to tell when there is a mold infestation until it’s too late. This makes it all the more important to recognize signs of a mold problem.
Be on the lookout for the followings signs that you need mold remediation.
Musty Odors
Every home has a distinct smell that reflects the composition of its occupants. However, a musty and pungent odor that comes and goes is not one of them. The odor may be more pronounced after heavy rains or during seasonal changes.
Mold thrives under sinks, basements, attics, and bathrooms. As such, these are the places where the odor will be strongest. Inspect them and if you catch a whiff of something musty, call a mold remediation expert.
Flooding
Whether it’s the bathroom or the basement, any sign of water damage is a cause for concern. After all, mold thrives in damp places. Leaving standing pools of water around your home creates the perfect breeding ground for mold.
Clear away any flooding in your home as soon as possible. Dry out the area using fans and heaters. Pay attention to all the places that may have been touched by the flood. Maintain this regimen for all floods, regardless of their size.
Even the smallest amount still has the potential to spark the growth of mold.
Discoloration
This is a particularly important sign to watch out for if you’re moving into a new home. Mold causes organic materials to change colors. Whether it’s drywall paper or human food, mold colonization will cause discoloration with time.
Detecting black mold is easy to detect because it is eye-catching. As for other species of mold, most assume hues of white, brown, red, gray, and other pastel colors. Some look like fuzz or dust while others look like sand granules.
If the mold is growing behind wallpaper, you may notice colorful patches of pink, orange, or purple. If you suspect discoloration due to mold, get in touch with a professional.
Humidity and Condensation
Condensation occurs when warm and moisture-rich air comes into contact with a cold surface. The surface cools down quickly, leaving water droplets behind.
Condensation is common on windows, walls, and air ducts. If it happens regularly enough, moisture buildup due to condensation causes the growth of mold spores.
Condensation is often the result of high humidity levels in the house. Humidity refers to the quantity of water vapor in the air. You, your family members, pets, and indoor plants produce water vapor.
Activities like cooking, taking baths and showers, and washing dishes, or doing laundry also contribute to humidity levels. The best way to curb mold growth due to humidity and condensation is to regulate indoor temperatures. You should also consider investing in a humidifier for humid rooms like the bathroom.
Visible Mold
The most tell-tale sign that you need mold remediation is if you can see the mold visibly growing. Unfortunately, visible mold is not an indication of how serious the problem is since mold varies drastically in appearance.
It comes in a range of colors from blue to white and yellow to green. You also find it in a variety of distinctive profiles and textures.
The important thing to remember is that the smallest areas of mold can spread quickly and become a serious problem that will cost you a lot of money in mold remediation services. Contact a professional for help and in the meantime, use a mold remediation spray to stop the spread.
Peeling Wallpaper
Drywall tends to soften if water seeps into it. This causes the wallpaper to peel away and the paint to crack. Unfortunately, it takes time for these outward signs of water damage to show.
The potential for mold growth, especially inside the walls, is high at this point. Without proper crawl space mold remediation, the structural integrity of your home could be compromised.
You must enlist the help of a professional immediately to get the water and mold issues under control and help with necessary repairs. It’s the only way you’ll be able to feel safe in your home again.
Leaks
It’s not just flooding and big puddles of water that cause mold problems.
Water leaks from the roof and plumbing are also a cause for concern. It’s easy for homeowners to ignore minor pipe leaks for a while because they don’t cause as much damage as basement flooding. However, the smallest trickle of water can be problematic.
Be on the lookout for leaks and repair them immediately. Dry out the area with a heater or fan to keep the mold away. Take time to watch the area as it dries for any further signs of mold.
You’ve Had Mold Before
Mold can be quite resilient and using DIY methods to clean out visible mold doesn’t always work. It can easily spread to areas that you can’t see or reach such as ductwork and between walls. If you’ve had a mold problem several times in the past few years, it could be due to a deeper issue that wasn’t addressed properly.
In this case, a mold specialist is the best solution. Mold remediation companies understand how mold works and will get to the root of the problem once and for all.
Adverse Health Effects
Consider getting your home tested for mold if your loved ones start experiencing certain health issues such as sneezing fits, nasal and sinus congestion, throat irritation, difficulties breathing, chest tightness, wheezing, and coughs. If these symptoms go away when you leave the house, it’s likely that the indoor air is murky with mold spores.
Read up on Mold Removal Near Me: The Mold Remediation Process Explained and get a mold remediation specialist to take a look if you notice any of the above signs
Get Mold Remediation if the Signs Add Up
Mold spores replicate quickly and getting them under control as soon as possible is in your best interests. If you notice musty odors, leaks, or pealing of wallpapers it may be time to call a professional for mold remediation.
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