Signs That Your Home Needs Mold Inspection & Testing
It’s likely that you’ve heard horror stories about mold issues in the home from friends, family or your community. Mold is one of those things where can often be hidden and out of sight from the naked eye. When mold is to grow without remediation, it can have severe impacts on your health, home and overall quality of life.
Here are signs that you should seriously consider hiring an expert to inspect your property:
1. Allergy Symptoms
Mold can cause allergic reactions and symptoms in your home. If you notice that you are feeling these symptoms inside but then lessen or go away when you are outside, there is a high chance that it is due to mold. Different people with a variety of sensitivities can have different reactions. One person can experience these symptoms while others can be unaffected initially.
Symptoms can include:
Coughing
Sneezing
Itchy eyes
Sore Throat
Runny or Stuffy Nose
2. Stains on Walls
Mold can be a wide range of colors and textures, including colors that you may expect including dark and bright colors. Discolored walls are often a sign of mold that typically grows close to the ceiling, floor or along the edges of baseboards.
It can also grow on porous materials such as insulation, sheetrock as well as furniture and other surfaces that mold can use as a food source. These visual signs should not be ignored and we recommend investigating right away.
3. Water Damage
Water damage is a forerunner of mold growth. Mold needs 3 things to grow: 1. Food Source 2. High Temperatures 3. Water Source. Having moisture damage is a tell tail sign that mold has a high chance or growing if it is not addressed. If you recently had a leak, flooding or any other water issue, it is important to dry right away along with having the leak repaired. Before calling a contractor or a handyman to patch up any damage, it is a good idea to conduct a mold inspection to sign off on that mold is not present before any remediation or restoration is conducted.
4. Musky Odors
If you smell a distinct musty odor, it can be a sign of present mold growth. If you cannot see anything visually on the walls or aware of a water leak, it’s possible something bigger is going on behind your walls. Air quality testing for mold will determine that mold levels are abnormal or normal. It’s best to address before the problem gets bigger.
5. High Humidity
High humidity indoors (at levels over 60%) create an environment for mold to grow in your home. If you experience high humidity in your neighborhood or from the state of your home, it’s a good idea to check for mold. A humidifier may contribute positively to help you sleep at night but can definitely contribute to a mold outbreak.
If your home has never had a dedicated mold inspection and or are experiencing any of these symptoms in your home, it’s worth getting things checked out. We use high tech machines to test air quality and swabs to analyze through a lab to determine the magnitude of mold in your home. Living in a clean and safe space for you and your family is a priority that shouldn’t be ignored.
Give a us a call today and we will be happy to walk you through the inspection process or any questions you may have!