How to Find Mold in Your House
Mold in your house… Just saying the word sends chills up my back. Nobody wants to live with black fungus growing in their house. All the same, the colder the temperatures are, the more potential you’re going to have the spores enter your home. Mold develops wherever there’s a lot of dead matter and enters your home by the air on people, pets, and objects that are carried inside. This unwanted guest can cause serious health issues and structural damage to your home, so it’s essential to know how to find mold in your house.
Understanding the Risks of Mold
Just about everyone is aware of the health issues caused by mold… The increased sensitiveness and allergic reactions being the more common reactions. But did you know that if mold develops in your house, it can cause structural damage as well? It’s vital to get control of any problems before it causes some life-threatening health issues or property damage. Mold can grow anywhere, but it thrives in damp environments, making your bathroom and basement the most common places to find it.
How to Find Mold in Your House
Finding mold hiding in your home certainly isn’t that easy, but finding it is essential. Having it growing throughout your home can cause sickness and cost $1000’s to remove. The newest studies have revealed a growth in homes that have mold due to moisture inside the home. You’ll find fast growth in your house in areas like your bathroom or basement. Roofs with small leaks can also add to the growth. Discovering it in the early levels will save you a lot of time and money for removing it, so consistent inspections will be very beneficial for you and your family.
Tips to Find Mold in Your House
- Inspect Your Basement: Basements typically are known for leaks and small spills. This makes a damp place and a breeding ground for most types of mold. You’ll need to thoroughly assure your basement is free from mold on a regular basis. This will ensure your basement won’t be a breeding ground for toxic mold. Basic signs to look for are water leakage or water stains on the ceiling or walls. Spend some time and waterproof your basement, and this will really cut down on any mold.
- Search Obvious and Concealed Places: Learning about the characteristic of mold will assist you with being able to find it. Mold usually looks similar to cotton and can be gray, green, black, or white in color. Concealed mold is the most serious since it can spread and make you sick without you even knowing it’s there. Signs like reoccurring nasal blockage and clearing of your throat are warning signs that there may be spores in the house.
- Do a Simple Smell Test: Utilizing your sense of smell is really helpful when you’re searching for mold inside your home. Look for a musty smell in your house, but be aware it can be easily missed in some cases. It smells a lot like an “earthy” almost rotten water odor. Don’t be led astray, there are certain types of mold that have very little odor at all.
- Mold Detection Tests: A lot of hardware stores sell “do-it-yourself” mold detection kits. Although these might be very useful in discovering mold, you might be more at ease using somebody with experience to perform a test of your home.
- Hire A Mold Inspector: If you feel you’ve seen signs and are sure there’s mold hiding somewhere and you have a musty smell, you will benefit from engaging a certified inspector. There are a lot of companies and trained professionals who will help you nail down the exact position of the growth, and they can also help you with getting rid of mold.
Common Places to Find Mold
Mold can grow anywhere, but it thrives in damp environments. Here are some common places to find mold in your house:
- Bathrooms: Showers, bathtubs, and sinks are all prone to mold growth.
- Basements: Leaks and small spills make basements a breeding ground for mold.
- Kitchens: Sinks, dishwashers, and refrigerators can all harbor mold.
- Attics: Poor ventilation and insulation can lead to mold growth.
- Crawlspaces: Damp environments and poor ventilation make crawlspaces a haven for mold.
How to Prevent Mold Growth
Preventing mold growth is easier than removing it. Here are some tips to help you prevent mold growth in your house:
- Fix any water leaks promptly.
- Improve ventilation in your home.
- Use a dehumidifier to keep humidity levels below 50%.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces regularly.
- Use a mold-killing product to prevent future mold growth.
Conclusion
Finding mold in your house can be a daunting task, but it’s essential to your health and the structure of your home. By following these tips and being aware of the common places to find mold, you can prevent mold growth and keep your home safe and healthy. Remember, mold can cause serious health issues and structural damage, so don’t wait until it’s too late.
