Generally, you know that you need mold remediation once the mold appears. But that does not always happen. Sometimes, the mold goes unnoticed and causes many health issues for you. Few other indications might tell you about mold in your home, which can be easily observed. Here are the four criteria for looking for mold in your home.
A water event
Frequent or even occasional water intrusion might signal the presence of mold. Although, a water event does not guarantee mold growth, as spores must already be present. Water and moisture aid development but are not the reason for their presence. Since the spores are microscopic, a water event is usually the trigger that makes mold visible or detectable.
Discoloration
Almost all kinds of mold cause discoloration of the organic material they feed on. Whether the food source for the mold is human food or drywall paper, if colonization is allowed for a long time, there will be discoloration that indicates a mold problem.
Mold takes certain colors such as black, gray, white, brown, red, and even some pastel colors if allowed to grow in abundance. Some mold even gives out the appearance of dust, fuzz, and sand granules. All molds require different moisture content and temperature to grow and spread. Although, not all discoloration should be taken as mold. Sometimes, people confuse efflorescence with mold. You must carefully observe the patch and choose the right remediation method.
A musty odor
If you observe a distinct musty odor prevailing in your house, it could be due to mold. Some mold is odorous when it colonizes. Although not all mold has this kind of smell, when a musty, moldy odor is combined with other factors, one can easily conclude the presence of mold. Remediation becomes necessary even if the mold is not visible.
You must be careful and not rely solely on the scent to detect mold because some fungal growth also produces the odor. But the smell must not be ignored as well. If you cannot conclude, consult a professional and get their advice.
Adverse human health effects
A wide range of health issues can arise from mold in your house. The most common and severe is asthma. Many other symptoms include headaches, poor memory, joint pain and stiffness, numbness, sensitivity to light, cough, fatigue, and many more—these symptoms surface due to long-term mold exposure. If any of these symptoms are observed, and generally, two or more are observed simultaneously, you must consider the presence of mold. If the symptoms are not marked or are diminished when not in the mold environment, it strongly indicates decay at your place, and immediate action must be taken.
Keep your home and building as dry as possible to avoid mold growth and spread. But if you observe any of the above conditions, you must immediately seek professional help and resolve this issue.
