5 Signs Your Home has Mold and How to Get Rid of it

Telltale Indicators Your Home Needs Professional Mold Remediation

Residential mold is a common problem in Lakeland and throughout Florida. If you suspect your house has mold, chances are there will be signs confirming your suspicions. Mold can be hard to detect but if you know what to look for, you can stop mold growth before it becomes a serious problem. If mold has a chance to spread, it can not only be costly to remediate, but it can have some serious health repercussions.
Mold usually grows in areas you don’t see every day. Spaces like your chimney, attic, basement, behind walls, or in your HVAC system are common areas in your home where mold can thrive. Bathrooms, laundry rooms and kitchens are also mold havens due to high levels of moisture. Mold comes in a variety of colors from pink to green to black but no matter the color, it needs to be removed from your home immediately.

Plenty of accurate mold detection kits are available and are a good way to begin investigating whether or not your home has a mold issue. Here are five signs to look for that indicate your home could have a mold problem that could lead to serious home repair and health issues.

Water Issues That Can Lead to Mold Growth

Mold thrives in moist, dark areas. Whenever your home has a water damage issue, there is the potential for a mold problem.

Flooding

If your home has ever experienced flooding from a natural disaster or plumbing issues, mold can grow wherever the water went. Mold can grow underneath floorboards, in cabinets, behind walls, and even underneath paint.

Leaks

If you discover a leaky faucet in a bathroom or in your kitchen, there is likely mold growth around the area of the leaky pipe. Leaks can also come in through a damaged roof so be sure to check the attic or ceilings in the top floor of your home.

Inspect your home for discolored walls or floors, bubbling paint or wallpaper, or any signs of warping. These are all indicators that mold is present in your home.

Condensation and High Humidity

Condensation can accumulate on pipes throughout your house. Excess condensation can lead to constant drips which can lead to leaks. An overabundance of condensation can mean you have high humidity levels in your home. High humidity and condensation are two key elements that create a perfect breeding ground for mold.

Pipes aren’t the only place to look for condensation. Condensation forming on your windows or doors is a sure sign that you may have a mold problem. Consider investing in a dehumidifier to help regulate the moisture and humidity levels in your home. A dehumidifier won’t get rid of the mold that already exists but it’s a good stop-gap until you can schedule an appointment with a professional mold remediator.

A Musty or Stale Smell Is A Strong Indicator of Mold

You may only get a whiff of an unusually musty smell or you may smell a strong, stale odor all the time in a particular room. Either way, a damp, musty odor indicates that mold is present. Follow your nose to the area of your house where the smell is the strongest. If you have suspicions that this area has mold growth, close the room off for a few days then open it back up. If mold is present, you will smell the damp, earthy odor common with mold growth.

You may not always see mold but if you smell it, chances are it’s affecting you and everyone who lives in your home. Acting quickly to remediate the mold will help your home and your health.

Mold Growth and Health Issues

If you or a family member is suffering from symptoms like coughing, sneezing, runny nose, irritated or watery eyes, dizziness or headaches – you may be experiencing mold sickness or an allergic reaction to mold. These symptoms can range from mild to severe depending on your own personal health.

If you are experiencing these symptoms in your home, there’s one way to test the theory that mold is present. Spend a few days away from home. If your symptoms disappear when you aren’t at home, chances are you have a mold issue. If you’re unable to spend a few days away, just spend some time outdoors. Take a walk while paying close attention to your symptoms after you’ve been out in the fresh air. If you feel better, it’s time to inspect for mold in your home.

Mold Growth

Mold appears in many colors and shapes. Black mold is particularly quick to spread and can be dangerous for your health. If you see any visible mold in any area of your house, you should address it immediately. Some forms of mold are easier to get rid of on your own than others. When you aren’t successful in removing the mold yourself, it’s time to call in the mold experts.

How To Address Your Mold Problem

Always remember that there are things you can do to reduce the possibility that mold will grow in your home. Keeping things dry is the first step in keeping your home mold free. Clean up spills and leaks immediately. Regularly maintain your plumbing and HVAC systems. Proper maintenance of these systems can help stop small issues before they turn into expensive ones. If you live in an area of high humidity, invest in a dehumidifier for rooms that have moisture issues.

When you suspect that you have a mold problem, it’s time to test. You can buy an expensive, DIY mold testing kit and interpret the results on your own. If you’re not comfortable testing on your own, the professionals at PuroClean of Central Florida have professional grade mold tests and the experience to read the results properly.

You may also be able to apply the proper methods to remediate visible and easy-to-reach mold in your home. Mold likes to grow in damp, dark areas and can be thriving in an area that is difficult to reach. Some contract work may be required to do the job properly. If your mold problem has grown to a dangerous level, it’s best to leave the work to an experienced team of mold remediators. At PuroClean of Central Florida, we’ve built a team of seasoned professionals who are ready to tackle your mold problem head-on. We are a longstanding, local building & restoration company based in Lakeland, FL and we have decades of experience with Mold Removal in Florida. Call us today for your free residential mold remediation inspection.