Common Symptoms of Mold in the Home: Solutions & Preventions

There are different types of molds that commonly grow in residential areas. They come in different textures and colors – they can be black, white, green, pink, and even orange – but it does not make them any less harmful and troublesome. As a homeowner, you would only want to eliminate and prevent mold from growing in your house.

In this article, our mold removal and remediation experts will help you understand what mold is, how it grows, how you can determine if your home is suffering from mold infestation, and what steps you can take to address and prevent it effectively.

What Is Mold and How Does It Grow?

Mold is an organism that comes from the fungi family. It is known to grow in areas where a high level of moisture and humidity is present, such as the kitchen and shower, and it[1]  usually thrives in dark spaces, like your basement. Unfortunately, mold can grow in washing machines, from your floors and appliances to your furniture and carpets. Check out our tips to remove mold from washing machines.

Tiny amounts of mold spores are typically harmless. However, mold infestations always begin from small spores that float in the air. Once these spores fall onto an area where it’s mostly damp, mold will start to grow continuously, as it has everything it needs to survive. Your household will then be exposed to mold through the indoor air, which may cause various health problems.

Check out more information about molds.

5 Common Symptoms of Mold in the Home

1. Your house smells odd.

Molds are mostly accompanied by an earthy, musty smell. If you have been noticing funny odors, your home may be suffering from molds. You can have your heating and cooling systems checked by professionals if you cannot see visible signs, as HVAC units are excellent mold breeding grounds due to their dark and damp environment.

2. Your paint or wallpaper is peeling.

Uncommon peeling and scaling of paint and wallpapers are telling signs of moisture in your walls. Make sure to keep your eyes open to any areas that are bubbling and cracking, as well as other signs of abnormalities on your walls, as it would be challenging to control mold growth once it begins on an ideal spot.

3. Your bathroom tiles and grout are unusually dark.

The shower room is always prone to mold because of its wet environment. Molds in showers are mostly harmless, but if you have been experiencing any plumbing issues or leaky pipes, you’re at risk of dealing with a more toxic type of mold. This harmful fungus should only be handled by mold removal and remediation professionals. 

4. Your home experienced flooding in the past.

If your home has experienced flooding without water and flood damage restoration, it may experience mold growth worse than usual. If the water damage is severe, it would be best to contact a professional to handle the situation instead of taking the matter into your own hands.

5. Your family suddenly feels sick.

Mold is notorious for making people feel ill, and it’s much worse if you or your family members have asthma. You may experience colds, itchiness, fatigue, seasonal allergies that aren’t subsiding, and more. These unusual conditions may be the result of molds that have been there for a long time.

Solutions and Preventions for Mold in the Home

While it’s impossible to eliminate all mold and mold spores around your house, there are some things you can do to fix and prevent further contamination in your home. Here are some of the most helpful tips to control mold growth in your property:

• Have your plumbing system checked regularly for leaks to prevent moisture from seeping into your walls.
• Keep your HVAC units well-maintained by your contractor to easily spot mold growth in these systems.
• Mold in your closets? Use dehumidifiers and air conditioning systems to reduce moisture in the air, creating fewer areas for mold growth.
• Don’t forget to check basements and crawl spaces now and then for leaks and mold infestation.
• Use exhaust fans in the kitchen and shower room to remove moisture, ensuring that they are directed outside instead of the attic.
• Maintain indoor humidity below 60% if you can, and monitor its level using a hygrometer, which is normally available at your local hardware store.
• Dry the typically wet areas within a day or two to prevent mold growth.
• Have a reliable mold removal company to help you with your concerns.

Get Rid of Mold Infestation with PuroClean Bradenton

PuroClean of Bradenton is your local mold removal and remediation expert serving the Manatee and Sarasota counties. We have helped numerous homeowners with their mold problems, and we’d love to do the same for you. So contact PuroClean of Bradenton, and our professional technicians will help solve your house mold concerns quickly and efficiently.