Mold always has its way to invade your home. Sometimes it’s hard to locate where they’re coming from. Given them enough time to grow and spread, they can destroy your walls, floors, ceiling, and even your health. Most often, inhalation of mold can lead to serious health issues and even respiratory diseases such as coughing, runny nose, and allergies. Moreover, black mold can lead to organ failure and even death. That is why you have to know how to identify mold early on to protect yourself and your loved ones. Read on to learn some ways on how to detect mold in your home and tips on how to deal with it. 

What Are the Types of Mold?

There are different types of mold. Mold is a type of fungus that mostly grows in a moist environment. According to statistics, at least 45 million homes in the United States have unhealthy levels of mold. When addressing mold issues, you have to identify which mold to deal with.

Most Common Types of Mold

1. Allergenic

It is a type of mold that can cause an allergic reaction such as eye irritation, skin irritation, or asthma. It is most commonly grown behind the damp walls, carpets, surfaces in the home, etc.

2. Pathogenic

It is a type of mold that is found in areas with no sunlight and poor ventilation. It can cause diseases and it is often hard to detect.

3. Toxigenic

This mold is often found in sewage floods. It produces toxins that if ingested in an ample amount can lead to dangerous health conditions like neurological problems and in some cases, death.

Three Ways to Detect Mold in Your Home

There are many signs to identify if the molds are invading your home. But here are some important ways to detect mold growth.

1. Musty Smell

It is the easiest way of identifying mold in your home. The musty odor produced by mold is very unpleasant and distinct. With this musty smell, you can pinpoint where mold could be growing in your home. A very sharp smell of mold can be compared to wet socks, pages of an old book, or rotten wood. 

However, some mold types are not that odorous, especially ones that reside on clean and dry surfaces. Once you encounter this smell, take immediate action in removing mold from your home. If you are hesitant to deal with your mold problems, call a mold remediation professional. 

2. Development of Personal Respiratory Problems

If you and your family started to feel an itchy throat, have developed allergies, and cause or trigger asthma, blame it on the mold that is growing inside your property. However, there are a lot of reasons why someone develops allergies or respiratory problems. 

According to a study, mold exposure can trigger allergic reactions and asthma symptoms in people who are allergic to mold. Thus, dampness indoors can cause asthma symptoms and respiratory problems. 40 percent of people are more likely to develop asthma symptoms when living in a mold-infected residence. 

Diseases that linked to mold and dampness:

1. Worsening of asthma
2. Coughing
3. Nasal Congestion
4. Wheezing
5. Sore throat
6. Rhinitis
7. Sneezing
8. Skin irritation
9. Headache
10. Lung irritation
11. Compromised immune system

3. Look for Visible Leaks

Another easy way to find mold problems is to locate what is causing it. Leaks or excess moisture in your home are the most common reasons for mold growth. If there are leaks in the roof, ceilings, or walls, and the issue was left unattended, mold will begin to develop.

Make it a habit to check areas where mold will likely linger. This includes your toilets, pipes, sinks, water heater, shower, and basement. Fixing the sources of water leaks helps prevent mold from invading your home.

Moisture might develop indoors. Including the following:

1. Flooding or rainwater from open doors and windows.
2. Leaky pipes or poorly connected plumbing
3. Damp carpets, (those carpets that installed in a poorly ventilated room)
4. The exhaust of bathrooms and kitchens
5. Outdoor humidity.
6. Condensation buildup in humidifiers, dehumidifiers, and HVAC systems. 

Mold Problem: What to Do?

Addressing each problem is the only step to save you and your family from the invasion of mold growth. Here are some tips on how to deal with mold in your home.

1. Look for the primary sources of the problem. Check it regularly to prevent mold from growing.
2. Test the area with bleach. Dip cotton in some diluted bleach and swab the moldy area. If the area lightens quickly, then come back after washing, you are dealing with mold problems. 
3. Place a fan or dehumidifier in areas that are affected by water leaks. Dry areas rarely develop molds.
4. Call for mold remediation professionals.

Mold Problem? Call for Help

Knowing ways on how to detect mold in your home can prevent it from causing serious damage, as well as protect your family from possible health issues. Though most homes are susceptible to mold growth, never try to tolerate living with them. Taking care of your health is very important especially, during a pandemic. We do not want another virus to linger in your home. So, immediate actions should take place to eliminate this mold and prevent it from even occurring. 

If you feel like you need help eliminating mold, do not hesitate to call for help. Water Damage Lake Elsinore provides excellent mold remediation services, this includes an experienced team and quality equipment to remove mold in your home. Call our local office now to know more about our emergency services.