No one wants to find mold in their home. Mold is a fungus that not only looks and smells bad but can also cause health problems. Headaches, respiratory issues, fatigue, and even depression can all be linked to chronic mold exposure. Unfortunately, mold infestations aren’t always obvious, especially at first. If you recognize you have a mold issue early on, it will be easier to deal with and cause less damage. Here are some of the most common signs of mold in the home.
1. Visual Signs of Mold in the Home
The most obvious signs of mold are visible. Mold often looks like dark, tightly-clustered, circular blotches on your walls. Depending on the type of mold and what surface it’s on, it could look very different. Mold may resemble a fine layer of dust, especially on wood surfaces.
Mold isn’t only black and brown but may appear as green, white, or even pink. Another good visual that may point to mold is bubbling or peeling paint, which is due to moisture.
Check the grout between tiles in your bathrooms for dark stains as this is a common place for mold to grow.
2. A Musty Odor
Mold has a distinct odor, usually described as “musty” or “earthy”. it’s a damp, unpleasant, stale smell, similar to wet socks or cardboard. If this odor persists in a certain area of the house, there’s a good chance that there’s a mold issue. One place you may notice this odor is around your air conditioner where moisture can build up and cause mold growth.
3. Mold in the Home Causes Health Problems
A runny nose, itchy eyes, and sneezing are all telltale signs of an allergic reaction. If it’s allergy season, you may think your symptoms are coming from outdoor pollen. However, mold inside the home can also aggravate allergies.
If you have these symptoms at home and it’s not allergy season, there’s a good chance you have a mold problem. This is especially true if you notice your symptoms improve when you leave the home. You might also notice your headache, runny nose, and itchy eyes improve when you’re not in a particular room, another clue as to where there may be mold in your home.
4. Chronic Fatigue
If you feel tired no matter how many hours of sleep you get, it may have to do with mold. On its own, fatigue isn’t enough to indicate a mold problem. Combined with some of the other signs of mold on this list, however, it’s a good sign of an issue.
5. Recent Leaks or Flooding
Leaks themselves aren’t a sign of mold in the home. However, if you’ve recently had a leak, even a small one, be on the lookout for mold. The same goes for floods. Mold needs water to thrive, so any water intrusion in the home makes a favorable environment for a mold infestation.
Be on alert for the signs of mold in your house. It’s important to recognize it early so that you can prevent any outbreaks before they get out of hand. Immediately clean up any water leaks, make sure your home has good ventilation, and install a dehumidifier to reduce moisture.
AAA Professional Home Inspectors provides home inspection services in Kentucky and Indiana. We offer mold testing and air quality sampling so you know that your home is safe. Contact us to request an appointment.