Causes of Mold
Mold grows and spreads in humid and damp conditions. Moisture can appear in the home for several reasons. Sometimes the water table under your house is too high and the water seeps into your basement. This can cause mold to grow in the basement.
Other times, you might have experienced a flood because of excessive rain, localized flooding, or a plumbing leak. If you do not get rid of all the damaged material or make sure it is completely dry, mold can grow.
3 Signs of Mold in the Home
Health Symptoms
Many different things can signal signs of mold in the home. They might be physical symptoms, like coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath. You need to see your doctor if you are experiencing any of these symptoms, especially if you see other signs of mold in the home.
Visual Signs
In addition to health symptoms, there are physical signs of mold that you may notice in your home. Mold is typically a greenish-brown color that starts off as spots or stains on surfaces. The mold grows and spreads, emitting toxic spores into the air that can cause respiratory distress. If the mold is not removed by a professional, it can lead to serious health issues.
Musty Smell
Mold has a musty smell that can usually be detected as soon as you enter a space that has mold. It may remind you of wet paper or rotting wood.
Treatment of Mold
If you have mold as a result of water damage, you need to remove everything that has been saturated with water. If you have excess water continually permeating your home, you need to bring in a professional to figure out why it is happening and fix it. If it turns out that you have toxic black mold, it needs special handling by professionals who will dispose of the infected materials. They will also need to spray down the remaining substructure with a mold killing solution to take care of any traces that might be left behind.
Taking precautions and investigating signs of mold in the home will help you keep your home safe and your family healthy. You may need repairs or work done, but at least you know that you will not have mold growing in your home. Make sure you check your home for any water leaks, investigate any musty smells, and keep an eye out for any situation that might promote mold growth in your home.
Oasis Home Inspections serves Brevard County, FL with home inspection services. Contact us to schedule an appointment.