How do I know if my home has a mold problem?
If mold is growing in your home, you most likely will be able to smell it. Have you ever walked into a room that has a musty or earthy odor? You probably are smelling mold. Sometimes, you can see the mold on the surface of an object. In such cases, the item may be discolored or look as if it has smudges or blotches.
Often, you will not be able to see mold that is causing an odor. The mold could be growing behind walls, underneath carpets, or in other hidden areas. Mold growth is common in areas of a home that are damp or have suffered water damage. You should be especially concerned about the growth of mold if your home has had:
- a flood
- a sewer back-up
- an overflowing toilet
- leaking pipes
- a leaking roof
- leaking windows
- humidifiers
- any other serious water-related problems.
Some of these situations can result in the growth of bacteria, which also can cause musty odors and health problems.
Once materials become wet, mold can begin to grow within 24 to 48 hours. If your home experiences a water-related problem, clean and dry any wet or damp areas as soon as you find them. If you live in a rental property, immediately report water problems to your landlord.
The earlier you can detect the growth of mold in your home, the better a chance you have to control it. Early detection and treatment are very important. If you smell a musty odor in your house, start looking for the source immediately and remove it as soon as you find it. Prevention and early detection may save you from paying much greater cleanup and repair expenses later on. If you own your home, damage from mold and the cost of removing mold might not be covered by your homeowner insurance. (Read your policy or call your insurance agent to find out.)
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About The Author
Brian
Ex Mold removal guy, Over 20 years of experience removing all types of mold.
I want to know
I was visiting a friend and spent a week in their spare bedroom. I use a c-pap and when I returned home it was near the end of the month so I went to change the filter in it. To my surprise it was totally black. I also has black boogers and developed a sore throat and itchy eye while there.
I don’t want to alarm this person but do you think this is serious enough to tell them they could have a mold problem?
My wife and I are soon moving back in to our old neighborhood. We are a bit hesitant about it because of the recent flooding; we are worried about moving in to a home with a mold problem and we have heard that this neighborhood has a mold problem because of all of the heavy floods. I am impressed with how many places mold is common in; especially the carpet. My wife and I are really concerned about the high impact it can have on a persons health-especially if the mold is all over the place. After reading this, I definitely will need to hire a professional to help us choose a house with the least amount of mold.