Did you know that the EPA’s Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) estimates 47% of American homes have mold? It’s a significant problem, especially considering that most people don’t know that their home has mold. Mold is tricky and likes to grow in damp, dark areas of the house that we seldom pay much attention to. However, mold does leave signs of its presence that you can learn to identify. The sooner you locate mold, the faster and easier mold removal is. Here are five signs that point to a mold problem in your home.
1. Damp and Stale Smells
Mold is a stinky pest. The damp, musty scent of mold develops when mold is actively growing in a home. During the growth cycle, mold emits microbial volatile organic compounds, or mVOCs, the source of the unpleasant odor. The EPA has linked mVOCs to headaches, nasal irritation, dizziness, fatigue, and nausea. Toxic mold, like the dreaded black mold (Stachybotrys), emits mycotoxins and mVOCs as they grow, which cause severe illness and disease in humans and animals exposed to them.
When damp, musty odors develop in the home but no mold visibly appears, contact a mold removal specialist for assistance. Generally, mold removal companies will inspect a home for mold if signs of a hidden colony are present.
2. Humidity & Moisture
Humid homes breed mold just as well as a shower or leaky pipe. Mold requires three things to thrive: heat, organic materials, and moisture. One of the most common causes of mold growth in a home is excessive moisture or humidity. At Green Genie Environmental, a crucial part of our mold removal process is locating the moisture feeding the mold and stopping it in its tracks.
3. Allergies & Illness
Chronic coughing, sore throat, itchy eyes, and exhaustion are well-known symptoms of mold exposure. If illness or allergies are running rampant in the home, mold may be to blame. If you can’t seem to find any mold, consider reaching out to a mold remediation specialist who can investigate the house for you.
4. Water Stains & Flooding History
The trouble with mold is that it grows quickly. A mold colony can develop in as little as two days if provided enough water to thrive. Water that sits for more than 24 hours can quickly turn into a mold problem. If your home has experienced flooding in the past or has walls, ceilings, or floors with water stains marring the surface, there’s a fair chance that mold is growing somewhere.
5. Warped Floors, Walls, and Ceilings
Water damage leaves other signs of its presence in the home. Floors sag, wallpaper bubbles, and ceilings start to cave when subjected to water. When the structure of a home begins to warp, it may be from water damage. Additionally, mold weakens the stability of organic materials it grows on – colonies physically devour organic material to survive, essentially eating away at your wood floors, drywall, and carpeting. Damage appearing around the home, especially in areas prone to water exposure, may indicate a mold problem needing expert attention.
Tracking down mold can be a bit of a challenge. If you notice any signs that mold may be growing in your home, give the experts at Green Genie Environmental a call at (716) 466-6653. Our experts will investigate your home and handle the entire mold removal process for you. We’ll leave your home safe, healthy, and in order by the time our crew finishes the remediation process.