What If You Suspect You Have Black Mold Or Are Experiencing Black Mold Symptoms
If you are experiencing Black Mold Symptoms or you suspect you may have a form of Black Mold in your house and you will want to purchase a Mold Detector to help identify Black Mold such as the Mold Check Tox-Check Lab Testing Kit. This Mold Detector will help to provide you with identification of the specific kind of mold you have by examining a swab sample you take that will be sent to a AIHA certified affiliate laboratory for examination, with black mold testing results sent to you.
We hope this post has helped you and if you do suspect you have a mold problem we look to providing you with solutions to the challenge you maybe facing. Welcome to MoldCheck.com, where science is put to use for healthy homes!
How To Tell If You Have Mold In Your House
It can be hard to tell if you have mold in your house. Obviously, if you see mold somewhere, youve got a mold problem in your house, but mold can hide in walls, ventilation ducts, crawl spaces, and in other hard-to-see areas.
A common way to check for mold is to smell for it. A musty smell in an area of your home is often an indicator that there is some kind of mold present. Symptoms like a persistent runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing and throat irritation could also be indicative of mold.
In addition, anywhere that has been exposed to a significant amount of moisture such as water damage from flooding is a potential area where mold may be growing. Look for water where it shouldnt be, and check areas which may have flooded in the past.
What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Having Mold In Your House
Whether youre selling a home, preparing to buy one for the first time, or just performing regular maintenance, the issue of mold may worry you particularly if your home is in a damp environment.
In most cases, a typical home inspection wont include mold inspections and testing. You will need to hire a professional mold inspector to check your home for issues like black mold.
So, to help you understand whether or not you may need a home inspection for mold, weve put together this comprehensive guide that will help you understand the signs and symptoms of mold, know what next steps to take if you think you have mold issues, and provide you with other helpful information and tips that will help you deal with a potential mold problem.
Also Check: How To Mold Leather Holster
Can Mold Cause Health Problems
Molds are usually not a problem indoors, unless mold spores land on a wet or damp spot and begin growing. Molds have the potential to cause health problems. Molds produce allergens , irritants, and in some cases, potentially toxic substances . Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Allergic responses include hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash .
Allergic reactions to mold are common. They can be immediate or delayed. Molds can also cause asthma attacks in people with asthma who are allergic to mold. In addition, mold exposure can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs of both mold-allergic and non-allergic people. Symptoms other than the allergic and irritant types are not commonly reported as a result of inhaling mold. Research on mold and health effects is ongoing.
This provides a brief overview it does not describe all potential health effects related to mold exposure. For more detailed information consult a health professional. You may also wish to consult your state or local health department.
How To Detect Mold
You may be wondering how to detect mold in your home and how to test for mold if you cant see it. There has been so much information in the news lately about the health risks of mold growth in the home that people want to know how to make sure their home is mold-free and safe. Many dont know how to check for mold, though, if its not clearly visible. Well tell you how to test for mold in your home.
To make sure the job is done right, we recommend you hire a professional to conduct the testing. Its very easy to get incorrect results if you dont do the testing properly.
Read Also: Does Vinegar Get Rid Of Black Mold
How To Detect Black Mold Anywhere In Your Home
The dreaded black mold that you see in the headlines, Stachybotrys chartarum isnt a common moldbut its not rare either. If youre wondering how to detect black mold in your household, start by looking for black molds distinctive color. It will look more greenish-black than black and may be somewhat slimy or wet however, it may also appear grayish, with a sooty, powdery texture.
This is how to detect black mold effectivelyjust follow your nose! A musty, earthy smell, like dirt and rotting leaves, is a telltale sign of molds presence. Stachybotrys smells especially strong. Stachybotrys prefers conditions that are a little wetter than some other molds, feeding on water-saturated cellulose-based material such as cotton, wicker, drywall, lumber, cardboard, and even dust or lint.
If youre wondering how to detect black mold without trying to sniff it out, look for its preferred home. If your home has flooded or you notice excessive moisture on or around building materials, possibly even dark rings on drywall indicating moisture damage, the conditions are ripe for black mold.
Then, look for the smell. This is how to detect black mold when you cant see it. The smell almost guarantees mold. When conducting a hunt for mold, turn off your HVAC system and any fans that are running to reduce the chance of spreading spores to other locations. You also might want to check some of these popular hiding places where mold may be lurking:
Looking For Signs Of Mold In Your Home
Mold can occur anywhere it finds a damp location where it can feed upon the organic components in your building materials. When looking for mold in your home, its important to keep an eye out as well as a nose out for possible signs. Often times mold can hide behind furniture or appliances, making it more likely for you to smell the mold than see it for the first time.
Black mold will have a strong earthy, dirty, and musty smell and is the laymans term used for Stachybotrys mold. This type of mold can have a particularly strong smell making it more noticeable when starting to form. Unfortunately, mold only needs water, organic matter, a dark environment, and time to grow, meaning its often found in places that arent heavily trafficked in the home.
RELATED:Everything You Need to Know About Household Mold
Read Also: Remove Mold From Leather Couch
How To Test For Black Mold
Do you keep getting a whiff of something musty in your bathroom or basement? Afraid it might be mold? Learn about three of the most popular kits to test for mold at home.
Its no secret that damp areas of the home provide the perfect conditions for mold and mildew to grow. Whether your nose knows, or your eyes spy dark spots in strategic locations, you want to make sure.
Mold doesnt just eat away at your wood, wallpaper, or grout. Its spores get airborne and cause all kinds of health problems. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says enough evidence exists to link mold to upper respiratory tract symptoms like itchy eyes and runny nose to cough and wheeze in otherwise healthy people.
Signs To Look Out For
How do you know if there may be mold? Here are some things to look for:
- A smell of mildew
- Colorful growth on walls or surfaces
- Damp areas in the house
- Discoloration around the air handler or register vents
- Discoloration under a kitchen or bathroom sink
- Discoloration in a tub or shower
- Closets have mildew, moldy smell
- Sudden allergies or respiratory problems
- Water marks on ceiling from potential roof leaks
- Exterior discoloration from stucco or block wall issues
- Higher-than-normal humidity in interior of property
- Your property has suffered some level ofwater damage
These are only some signs that you can keep your eye out for to better detect mold. Never hesitate to contact FP Property Restoration if you think that you may have mold in your home or business. The sooner we are able to come out to your property andtest for mold, the sooner we can start themold removal and remediation process. We are a 24-hour emergency restoration company and, when you call, we will arrive on-site in 30 minutes or less.
You May Like: How To Clean Mold Off Bathroom Ceiling
Can You Get Sick From Mold In Your House
Yes. Those will allergies, compromised immune systems, asthma, or other such issues are at a higher risk as even minor, non-toxic molds could cause a variety of uncomfortable symptoms. Mold in your house is rarely life-threatening. However, prolonged exposure is far from ideal for a number of reasons.
Issues That Cause Mold And Mildew
Moisture is the chief cause behind the growth of mold and mildew. Mold spores entering your home is inevitable this is difficult to stop. But you can stop the factors that help mold and mildew to grow. Besides moisture, lack of sunlight, poor ventilation, and dirt and debris can cause mold and mildew to grow. Because of this, mold and mildew tend to develop in the home:
- Under carpeting
You May Like: How To Clean Mold Off Plastic Cutting Board
How Mold Affects Your Health
Mold produces irritants and allergens that can cause various reactions when inhaled or touched. Reactions to mold are often allergic symptoms such as sneezing, red eyes, runny nose and skin rashes.
Sensitive individuals may experience immediate reactions when in contact with mold. Others, on the other hand, might have delayed symptoms .
Individuals with asthma may have an especially hard time when in a room with mold. Mold can trigger asthma attacks while irritating the throat, lungs, nose and eyes.
People who dont suffer from allergies or asthma may also experience irritation in the eyes, nose, lungs and throat.
One mold species, in particular, can be more hazardous than others Stachybotrys chartarum. This species is generally referred to as black mold or toxic mold. Despite the name, this mold is actually more greenish in color and is gooier in texture compared to other species.
Black mold can grow on surfaces high in cellulose and low in nitrogen. These include fiberboards, paper, dust and lint. This mold requires constant moisture in order to grow, so its commonly found near water damage, leaks and after floods.
While mold, in general, isnt toxic or poisonous, some species such as black mold can produce toxic byproducts. One of these is called mycotoxins. However, little research is available as to how it affects peoples health .
Getting To The Root Of The Problem
Mold can affect your health in different ways some people have severe reactions while others dont experience any.
Common health effects of mold include hay fever-like symptoms such as a runny nose and red eyes. If you have allergies or asthma, youll likely experience more severe reactions such as asthma attacks or skin rashes.
Mold spreads and reproduces through spores in the air. You can buy DIY home test kits to help determine whether or not theres mold present in your home. Yet, as popular as these tests are, you shouldnt rely on them entirely. Always follow up with a professional inspection and treatment.
About the Author
Also Check: How To Clean Mold Off Shower Grout
The Development Of Personal Health Symptoms
As we know, the severity of mold can vary just as ones sensitivity to mold can vary.
While standard mold may cause ones allergies to worsen, more serious forms of mold can have an even more significant effect on ones health. For some, this is noticeable in terms of skin inflammation, tiredness, daily nausea and significant mental impairment.
Another common reaction to mold comes in terms of a respiratory issue such as asthma. In fact, people are 40 percent more likely to develop asthma if they live in a mold-infected residence.
If these symptoms present themselves, its highly recommended that you have a residential mold inspection and schedule an appointment with your doctor.
How Do I Get Rid Of Black Mold
Your best option for getting rid of it involves calling a professional remediation service. The remediation contractors use professional equipment and cleaning chemicals to kill the spores and eliminate infestations. They also wear safety gear like goggles and respirator masks to avoid breathing it in and cordon off the areas where they work to prevent spores from spreading to other parts of your home.
Don’t Miss: How To Get Mold Out Of Boat Seats
Mold Related Health Symptoms:
If you feel lacking energy, have watery eyes or are congested while at home it is possible you are being affected by mold spores. One indication you may have a mold problem is if the symptoms subside when going to work or out and about and the health problems return when entering the home. A member of your family may also show signs of having black mold symptoms which could be very serious if the underlying cause is not corrected quickly. Because mold is not always visible, it can be difficult realizing that you do indeed have a mold problem.
What Does Black Mold Look Like
When you want to identify positively the signs of the dangerous type of this fungus versus the regular type, you need to know for what characteristics to look. The toxic variety can look dark green or black in color. It may also be gray, depending on where it is growing in your home.
You can also identify it by its odor. The odor is one of the tell tale signs of it that can help you detect its presence. It may smell musty and like mildew where it grows.
Recommended Reading: How To Clean Shower Grout Mold
Condensation Around The Windows
Mold is often found near windows. It may not be a lot of mold but even a small amount of mold can damage paint and cause health problems.
Mold is less likely to occur on newer windows. Condensation is common on old, single pane windows but rarely on dual pane windows.
Also, make sure the window is set correctly so air isnt entering the house through the sides of the window.
Air Conditioning And Heating Vents
You probably prefer your bedroom to be at the optimal temperature for you to get a good nights rest. While using the AC and heating unit are fine , its possible for mold to grow in the vents.
To prevent mold from contaminating your bedroom, you should:
- Use a dehumidifier to remove excess moisture from the air
- Dry up any condensation you find on the walls and windows
- Invest in a mold-resistant mattress or, at the very least, a waterproof mattress cover
Also Check: How To Clean Plastic Cutting Board With Bleach
How To Test For Mold In 6 Steps
Mold infestations can usually be seen or smelled, but they can also remain hidden behind walls or under carpets. Testing isnt necessary if you can see or smell mold that is confirmation enough to call a professional and begin the remediation process. Testing for mold in the house may be necessary if requested by a health professional or needed for legal purposes, such as a lawsuit with a landlord. Another reason to consider testing is if you arent able to see or smell mold in your home but are having unexplained symptoms associated with mold. Always follow the instructions provided with a test kit , but this is generally what to expect:
Moisture: Investigating And Solving Problems
Mould will grow indoors if moisture is present. Moisture problems in homes may result from:
- daily activities such as showering or bathing, washing clothes or cooking, if exhaust fans are not working properly or are not used
- infiltration of water from the outside when there are cracks or leaks in the foundation, floor, walls or roof
- plumbing leaks
- moisture condensation on cold surfaces
- flooding due to weather conditions
- inadequate ventilation.
Moisture indoors accumulates when it cannot be vented outside and becomes a problem when building materials become damp or wet.
Moisture problems are preventable.
Unless the cause of the moisture problem has been identified and solved, mould will reappear. Once the moisture problem and its causes have been identified, they must be fixed. To prevent future problems, measures should be put in place to control sources of moisture in your home, for example:
- Ensure rain, irrigation water and snowmelt drain away from the house by sloping the grade away from the building.
- Keep eavestroughs and downspouts clean of debris and ensure that the outflow runs away from the house and not into neighbouring foundations.
- Repair plumbing leaks promptly.
- Use exhaust fans, ventilation and air conditioning systems to vent moisture outdoors.
- Use moisture tolerant materials in areas likely to get wet .
Run a dehumidifier in damp areas such as basements or if you observe that moisture is condensing on cold surfaces such as window panes.
Recommended Reading: How To Clean Mold From Leather
How To Find Mold In Your Home
Damage caused by mold growth in your home can be a huge inconvenience and if the damage is severe enough, costly to repair. Mold forms in environments where moisture is present and it is important to know how to detect when there is mold growth in your home. This article addresses how to find mold in your home.
