While there are many visible signs of mold (such as fuzzy green and black patches on your walls), other signals may not be as obvious. Things like musty smells, excessive moisture, warped walls, and even weakened immune systems may be the first indications of mold problems in your home.
It's important to be aware of what mold looks and smells like in its beginning stages so that you can prevent mold growth and mold toxicity from taking place. Prolonged mold exposure has a long list of nasty side effects, including allergy symptoms and a variety of health issues.
In this article, Chore-ology provides you with a list of 10 subtle signs of mold growing in your home.
1. Musty Odor
When you walk into your home, do you notice a musty smell? The smell released by mold spores is often described as 'damp' or 'rotten'. Others say that mold smells like old books or dusty cupboards. Either way, if you notice this sort of odor in your home, there is a high chance you may have a mold issue.
Sometimes homeowners hardly notice the scent, as it builds up over time, and it may take a friend or visitor to point out the smell.
2. Allergy Symptoms
Unfortunately, the presence of mold often results in unpleasant physical symptoms - especially if you have mold allergies. Some common mold allergy symptoms include:
Sneezing
Itchy nose, eyes, and throat
Skin irritation
Coughing
Runny nose
Asthma symptoms
Mucus buildup
Congestion
Around 10% of people experience an allergic reaction to mold, so pay close attention if anyone in your family starts displaying one or more of the above symptoms. Things like constant sneezing and skin irritations can have detrimental effects on your mental wellbeing. There aren't any cures for mold allergies, so it's essential that you get rid of any mold in your home if you want to curb the symptoms.
3. Mold Growth in the Water Heater Closet
Mold typically grows in damp, moist places, like your water heater closet. You should always check your water heater closets, attics, crawl spaces, and other parts of your home that you don't see on a daily basis. This way, you can pick up on the mold and get rid of it before it becomes a serious problem in your home.
If your water heater has a leak, this could expedite the growth of mold.
4. Contaminated Clothing
Did you know that mold can grow on your clothing? In fact, mold loves natural fabrics, like wool and cotton, as well as other porous materials. Mold can easily grow in damp cupboards with poor ventilation, so make sure you check your clothing regularly if you suspect mold exposure in your house.
5. Mold Spots on Rugs and Carpets
Other places where mold may show itself are your rugs and carpets. These spots can start off very small but can slowly grow until you're left having to redo your entire carpeting. Keep your carpets clean and dry and inspect them regularly if you want to avoid mold growth in your home.
6. Poor Air Quality
Do you feel as though your home has very poor air quality? When you turn on your air conditioning unit, does it emit a musty odor? This could be a sign that you have a buildup of mold in your HVAC system. The best way to check is to have a look at your air filters and air vents. If there are fuzzy, black spots on the filter, there's a high likelihood that it's mold.
To prevent mold growth in your HVAC system, you should change your filters regularly and keep your air conditioning unit clean.
7. Warped Walls
Peeling paint and warped walls are some of the most common warning signs of hidden mold. Paint usually begins to bubble and peel when there is some sort of moisture buildup. Where there are moisture issues, there is usually mold.
Over time, this moisture and mold can compromise the structural integrity of your home. You should get rid of any existing mold and look at damp-sealing your walls to prevent mold growth from returning.
8. Weakened Immune Systems
Does everyone in your family seem to be constantly fighting off a cold? Black mold exposure often results in compromised immune systems, which can lead to other health issues. Those with pre-existing respiratory conditions, like asthma, may experience flare-ups.
You may not even realize that mold is affecting your immune system until you spend time away from home and notice your symptoms are alleviated. Over time, mold exposure can cause serious damage to your family's health.
9. Dark Spots on Your Furniture
Have you noticed any dark green spots on your furniture? Often these spots start the size of pinpricks and slowly grow until you have a definite mold problem. Mold colonies can completely ruin your furniture, so make sure you take action as soon as you notice the first signs of mold.
Try to keep your furniture dry and remove mold when you can. In some cases, the mold buildup may be so bad that you'll need to throw certain pieces of furniture away to stop the mold from spreading.
10. Previous Water Damage to Your Home
If your home has ever experienced flooding or excess moisture accumulation, you could be at risk of mold growth in your home. Make sure you fix any leaky pipes and allow your house to properly dry out if it has experienced any sort of flooding. Avoid letting wet towels sit on the floor, as this can also breed mold. Rather hang them up or put them in the tumble dryer to prevent black mold growth.
What to Do if You Discover Mold in Your House
Do you suspect that you have mold in your home? Chore-ology are experts when it comes to biohazard decontamination. Our team can provide you with professional mold inspection, as well as mold removal services. Protect your family and your property from mold exposure by requesting a free quote from us today.