Hidden Mold, Hidden Danger:
11 Signs of Hidden Mold that may indicate the growth of hidden mold inside your home and You Should Look Out For
1. Visible Mold Spores
Seeing mold spores in your home is obviously the most noticeable sign of mold infestation. If you are seeing a lot, the infestation might already be at its worse.
2. Dark Spots on Surfaces
Check surfaces, especially your walls, for dark spots that look like stains or discolorations. Take note that mold can come in any color and texture. The most common colors are black and green and often look slightly furry, but they also tend to be wet and slimy.
3. Musty, Damp, or Earthy Smell
Mold usually smells musty, damp, or earthy, but worse infestations have a more pungent smell like rotten meat or sweaty socks. However, a moldy smell is not always an indication of mold growth. Make sure to search for other sources that might be causing the smell like wet laundry and rotting food. Professional mold testing is always recommended to identify and confirm invisible mold in your home.
4. Allergic Reactions
If your seasonal allergy never goes away and worsens when you’re home, you might be experiencing mold allergy symptoms due to hidden mold.
Symptoms of hidden mold include:
- Stuffy or runny nose
- Itchy throat
- Itchy eyes
- Skin irritation (burning or itching sensation)
- Dry skin
5. Struggle With Respiratory Issues
Inhaling mold spores can cause more severe health complications, especially for individuals with existing conditions. Once the spores enter your lungs, they can worsen asthma symptoms and cause respiratory infections. This can lead to shortness of breath as well as severe coughing and sneezing.
The worst case is when the fungus starts to grow in your lungs which causes additional symptoms like chest pain, fever, and coughing up blood. If this happens, seek medical attention and have your home inspected for mold promptly.
6. Your HVAC System Smells Weird
Damp and dark HVAC systems are among the common areas where you can find mold in homes. So if you can smell something musty from your HVAC system after turning it on and you noticed dark spots on its filter, it might be contaminated by mold. We recommend installing HEPA filters in your HVAC to remove airborne mold spores in your home.
7. Warped Walls
If you notice warping, bubbling, cracking, or any surface abnormalities on your walls, there is a possibility of mold growth caused by these moisture problems. So before the problem gets worse, find where the moisture is coming from like leaky plumbing or windowsills and causes of humidity. Once you have fixed the issue, clean and dry your walls thoroughly before repainting them.
8. Dark Tile Grout
Dark grout in your shower tiles may indicate mold growth. In many cases, it is most likely caused by trapped water vapor in your bathroom due to poor ventilation. But if you experienced recent flooding and leaks, you might be dealing with toxic mold. If this happens, consult a mold testing and remediation professional to deal with the issue.
9. Squishy Floor
Moisture problems in your subfloor can cause some parts of your floor to be “squishy” and there is a chance that mold is already growing. If there is no easy way for you to access your subfloor, you might need to pull up some parts of your flooring to check for mold growth. You can clean the mold yourself if the growth is not widespread, but we recommend working with a professional to guarantee complete mold infestation removal.
10. Uneven Attic Insulation
A leaking roof will cause your attic insulation to become uneven. Also, improper ventilation in the area along with moisture issues create an ideal condition for mold to grow. So if your attic insulation looks very lumpy, you might be dealing with mold growth too.
11. Past Flooding in Your Home
If your home has experienced flooding in the past, there is a big chance that mold is already growing in your space. Although mold may not immediately grow after the flooding occurs, mold can still grow after a long time and can lead to severe infestations. So, you may want to check previously flooded areas for mold.
Don’t wait for mold to spread and jeopardize your home’s safety. Act now!
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