Mold infestation is not an issue that you should take lightly as it can quickly spread throughout your home. However, the worst damage it can cause is to your health and that of your loved ones! If you are unsure whether you have a mold infestation in your home, just read through the tell-tale signs we have listed below.
1. Health Problems
It is not uncommon to fall ill once in a while. However, if you are suddenly developing symptoms linked to long-term exposure to mold, the chances are that there is a mold infestation in your home because, as the saying goes, ‘if it looks like a duck, swims like a duck and quacks like a duck, it probably is a duck.’
Mold spores are airborne, which is why they can quickly enter your respiratory tract, causing irritation to the nose and throat, coughing, sneezing, runny nose, and breathing issues. Mold also induces allergies leading to skin irritation and redness, and watery eyes. Furthermore, it can cause asthma to start acting up even if you have not had an attack for a long time.
2. Strange Odors
If there are earthy or musty smells circulating in your home, causing a decline in air quality, mold growth is probably the cause. Moisture is also a contributing factor for these smells and the top reason for mold growth. Mold is a type of fungus, which emits microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs) that are essentially the unpleasant odors you are smelling. A stinky home doesn’t just bother you but may also cause absentee guests at your house parties.
3. Clearly Visible
Perhaps the most obvious sign of a mold infestation is the appearance of specks or patches around your home that are white, green, orange, or black. If there is an unusual growth of mold on walls or under the kitchen sink that returns even after the removal, then you have an infestation.
However, if the infestation is in your HVAC system, crawlspace, vents, or inside the structure of your home, then it could be impossible to spot until the issue escalates and the mold starts appearing on other places around your home.
4. Moisture and Leaks
Insufficient ventilation, leaky plumbing, naked pipes, condensation, and high humidity are all causes of mold growth, which is why mold infestation is most common in bathrooms. A tell-tale sign that there is moisture in your environment or rather the indication of an upcoming mold infestation is dampness, water stains, wall or ceiling discoloration, warped or discolored floors, and the peeling/bubbling/cracking/bulging in your wallpaper or paint.
5. History of Flooding
Homes that have previously experienced flooding are at greater risk of molding. No matter how much you dry or air out your home after flooding, some traces of moisture are still stuck inside that facilitate mold growth. The best thing you can do in this situation is to keep your home well-ventilated and get frequent inspections for mold.
If one or more of these tell-tale signs of a mold infestation are present in your home, then do not hesitate to contact Atlanta Mold & Cleaning. We will carry out an immediate and thorough mold inspection to identify and eliminate all traces of mold, so the issue is gone once and for all!
