Top 5 Warning Signs of Mold in Your Home

Posted on February 2, 2018

Whether you have been in your home for several decades or you’ve recently purchased a fixer-upper, mold is an unexpected and unwelcome discovery. While unsightly, mold can also present serious health threats and can result in major home renovation costs if left untreated. Mold reproduces rapidly and causes a greater threat once it gets into the air. That’s why it’s critical to take mold remediation steps at the first signs of mold. The presence of mold isn’t always easy to spot and tends to lurk in the background unless you’re able to spot the warning signs. Below are the most common warning signs mold could be lurking your home.

Unfamiliar smells

Mold can be difficult to spot, and often the only indicator is the presence of a musty odor. This shouldn’t be ignored, or masked with air fresheners. At the first signs of unfamiliar smells, it’s smart to call a mold removal services to assess the situation.

Feeling sick or unseasonal allergies

If you’re showing signs of a chronic cold or allergies, mold could be to blame. Mold has been reported as a common culprit in making you feel sick inside your house. It’s a common allergen that contributes to a flare-up of symptoms like congestion, sneezing, itchy skin, or a runny nose. Are you unsure if the symptoms are caused by your home or by general seasonal allergies? That means you should assess if the symptoms are worse when you are in the house. If so, it’s likely that mold is present in your home. The presence of mold can be extremely dangerous. Households with infants, elderly family members, or compromised immune systems may want to stay at a hotel or with relatives until the mold has been eliminated.

Visible spots

While spotting visible signs of mold seems like common sense, it’s easy to overlook. Mold can often take the appearance of dirt or dust. If you spot any small visible signs, take mold remediation actions immediately, by contacting a mold removal service, because it can spread very quickly.

Moisture

If your home has signs of excess moisture, this is usually a strong indication there is also a presence of mold. If you have a water leak, water stains, warped surfaces, repeated condensation, or a tendency to flood, speak with a mold professional to conduct an inspection. Water damage isn’t limited to the indoors — if there are wet areas on the outside of the home that don’t appear to dry out, there may be mold growing in the walls.

Older materials

Particularly if you purchased an older home or are completing a home renovation, it’s important to search under the existing materials such as carpeting, wallpaper, flooring, and cabinets to assess the mold growth. Unfortunately, this is often more of a “where is the mold” than “if there is mold” type of situation. If you are budgeting for a home renovation, it may be smart to budget in mold removal services to your overall reno costs to avoid any costly surprises.

Do you think you might have mold growing in your home? It’s not something you want to leave to chance. Call the mold remediation experts at Cape Fear Restoration today to learn how they can help rid your home of mold.

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