Mold in your house can be harmful to your health and home if it goes untreated. While some molds are a natural part of the environment, there are certain signs of mold you shouldn’t ignore so you can protect your house and health.
7 Signs of Mold
Knowing the signs of mold can help you understand when you need a professional mold inspection or mold removal. Mold doesn’t always present obvious signs, but when it does, it’s important to address them immediately.
Visible Mold Growth
The most obvious sign of mold in your home is visible mold growth. Unfortunately, mold doesn’t have a single appearance. It can be many colors, including green, pink, white, or black. Sometimes, it’s fuzzy; other times, it’s slimy or powdery.
You’ll often see mold in bathrooms, basement walls, or attics. Any area with high humidity and a moisture source is a good place to look for visible mold growth.
Bad Odors
Sometimes, the signs of mold aren’t visual and require your other senses, including the sense of smell. Unfortunately, mold doesn’t have a single smell; it depends on the type and the chemicals it emits. Some common explanations of how mold smells include:
- Wet: If you’ve ever smelled wet socks or wet dirty laundry, the smell is similar to mold.
- Musty: You might smell what’s reminiscent of an old, damp basement or room that hasn’t been used much.
- Rot: Some molds give off a rotten smell, similar to rotten food. This is usually the case when you are close to the mold source. You may also smell rotted wood.
Common places you might smell mold are in bathrooms, kitchens, basements, attics, and crawlspaces. Pay particular attention to areas with high humidity or poor ventilation.
Slow Leaks
Slow leaks are often more problematic than more noticeable water issues, like a burst pipe, because they happen without most people noticing. This gives mold more time to grow. We see a lot of mold growth underneath kitchen sinks from leaking dishwashers or P-traps. As the water leaks, it soaks the wood cabinets. Since wood is a food source for mold, and it’s dark down there, it creates the perfect environment for mold.
If you notice a slow leak in an appliance or sink, get to the root of the problem and then determine if mold is growing. If the wood is wet, there is a good chance mold is on or underneath the cabinet.
Water Damage or Stains
Brown or yellow stains on your walls or ceilings may indicate a water leak somewhere in your home. It could indicate a leaking roof or plumbing problem, which may mean you have mold inside the walls or ceiling from water damage.
If you notice it immediately, there may only be a few drip marks, and the drywall may feel damp or soft. However, if it goes unnoticed, you may see a circular pattern indicating water damage. Dried water is usually darker, and the stains have a circular pattern.
Peeling or Bubbling Paint or Wallpaper
If your paint or wallpaper is bubbling or warping, it could be a sign of moisture behind the wall. If you notice an area of bubbling paint or wallpaper, look around the area for dark, circular water stains or warped wood, especially the baseboards.
Bubbling paint or wallpaper could indicate a leak in the roof or from an appliance. Following the water stains can help you determine what caused the water damage.
Condensation on Windows and Doors
If your windows and doors have constant condensation, it’s a sign that you have moisture in your house, which can lead to mold. Condensation is a result of humid air connecting with cold air. If the humidity is inside your home, it can cause mold growth.
A little condensation on windows and doors isn’t cause for alarm, but if it’s consistent, it may signify the risk of mold growth, especially if there is a lot of dirt and debris in the area or the windows have wood trim, as each of these is food for mold.
Sudden Onset of Allergies or Respiratory Issues
Certain people may react physically to mold in the house, which can be a sign of mold. People who have asthma, allergies, or who have compromised immune systems may experience some of the following symptoms:
- Sneezing
- Itchy or watery eyes
- Cough
- Skin rash
Final Thoughts
Knowing the signs of mold can help you catch any outbreaks early. The quicker you notice mold, the faster you can have professional mold remediation and make your home safe again. While there are some DIY methods to remove mold, it’s typically best to leave it to the professionals who know how to safely remove the mold without disturbing it and spreading it to other areas of your house.
At Pinnelli Mold Pros, our professionals follow IICRC standards to ensure the safety of your home and family. We walk you through each step of the mold remediation process so you understand what must take place and how to prevent the mold problem from returning. Contact us today to learn more.