8 Signs You Have a Mold Problem in Your Home

While molds area vital part of the ecosystem outdoors, they are problematic when they grow indoors. Mold is likely to grow in dark and damp areas of your home, such as in the bathroom, basement, attic, and can also grow in carpet and drywall and near leaky pipes.

Mold damages your home and causes health issues for its occupants. Therefore, you need to look out for signs of mold in your home to remedy the issue before it becomes full-blown. Learn common signs that indicate a mold problem in your home.

1. Allergies and Other Health Issues

When you have mold in your home, you may exhibit allergy-related symptoms such as sneezing, an itchy throat, runny nose, difficulty breathing, sinus headaches, watery eyes, and itchy skin. If you are unsure whether the symptoms are mold-related, monitor if the symptoms get better when you leave the house. If they do, mold may be the culprit.

2. Musty Odor

Although not all molds produce an odor, most do. A persistent unpleasant and musty odor may indicate the presence of mold. The more severe the smell, the more intense the mold issue. Watch out for a moldy odor in damp areas of your house.

3. Past Flooding

If your home has experienced flooding in the past, there is a high probability of mold growth. Flood water is easily absorbed, creating a good breeding ground for mold. The earlier you have a professional check for mold after a flooding incident, the sooner any mold issue can be addressed.

4. Peeling Wallpaper

Although your wallpaper may get some discoloration or scruffiness as it ages, unusual peeling or cracking may signify another problem. It can signal a significant amount of moisturein the wall, which is a precursor to mold.

5. Bubbly Walls

Mold infestation can cause bubbles to for mon walls, especially in high-moisture areas - bathroom, basement, attic, or any area close to a leaking pipe. If you not ice such a scenario, do not make the mistake of repainting the area without addressing its cause. It is best practice to scrape the paint, clean, patch, dry the surface, then repaint.

6. Nasty Smell From Air Conditioner

A nasty smell from your air conditioner or heating system could be a subtle mold sign. Standalone air conditioning units are particularly vulnerable to mold because they are dark, damp, and exposed to warm temperatures. Have your AC checked by an HVAC specialist regularly to keep mold at bay.

7. Rust

Rust is a sign that your home has excessive moisture. Excessive moisture creates a good environment for mold to grow. Look for rusting water pipes and remedy the situation before it gets out of hand.

8. Visible Mold

Visible mold is the most obvious way to detect mold in your home. Mold comes in different colors, from black to brown, green, blue, and even pink. Mold can be white, which is hard to detect on walls and ceilings. This mold resembles veins branching from a center spore.

Visible mold shows that you have a big mold problem, and what you can see is just the tip of the iceberg. Simply cleaning the visible mold with soap and a sponge won't solve the problem. You must identify the cause of the mold - any leaks, excessive moisture.

Mold infestation is detrimental as it ruins your home while creating a myriad of health problems.

When you notice the above signs, call Central Penn Waterproofing to address the issue efficiently and quickly before more damage occurs. We have a multi-step process to help remove mold as well as sanitize the area to prevent future growth.