3 Signs That You May Have Mold in Your Home

Last updated 9 months ago

Nobody wants mold in their home. This fungus grows quickly and can be toxic in high volumes. To protect yourself and your family from the dangers of mold growth, take the time to recognize the signs of mold’s presence and schedule mold removal as soon as possible.

Musty Smell
The presence of a musky or musty, damp smell may be a sign of hidden mold in your home. If the odor seems stronger in a particular room, mold is likely growing in that area. You might only notice this smell when you turn on your air conditioning or heating unit. In this case, mold may have developed somewhere within your HVAC system and is distributing airborne fungal spores via your air duct system.

History of Water Leaks
Because low levels of mold spores are literally everywhere, all mold needs in order to thrive are cool temperatures, darkness, and a steady source of moisture or humidity. If your home has a history of water leaks or flooding, especially in hidden areas, there’s a chance you could have mold in your home. Even extremely small leaks provide enough moisture for mold to grow. Hidden leaks in your ceiling or walls are especially troublesome because these create an opportunity for mold to grow out of sight.

Unexplained Health Problems and Allergies
If your eyes tend to itch, your nose gets stuffy, or your chest feels tight, these allergy-like symptoms could be caused by mold. In fact, evidence links indoor exposure to mold with upper respiratory tract infections, wheezing, and coughing in otherwise healthy people, according to the Institute of Modern Medicine. For people who already have asthma, mold exposure may trigger serious attacks.

Ideal Restoration is your trusted source for mold removal and remediation—everyone’s safety is our number-one priority. Attempting to remove mold from wall voids may actually release more dangerous mold spores into the air, so leave this job to the professionals. Call our office at (888) 419-4279 for help with mold removal, water and fire damage restoration, and sewer cleanup services in the San Francisco Bay Area.