You Visibly See Mold Spores
Of course one of the most obvious ways to determine that you have mold in your house is if you can see it. The downside? If you see a ton of visible mold, it can be an indicator that you have a big problem on your hands.
“Once you see it, you’ve got a big mold problem because what you’re seeing is literally just the tip of the iceberg,” Kelly Hayes-Raitt, a housesitter and the former director of the HomeSafe Campaign in California, told INSIDER.
Simply scrubbing the visible mold with soap and a sponge won’t actually get rid of the mold. So if you see visible mold, you need to reach out to a mold remediation company or another expert to help you get things under control, including any leaks that may have caused the issue in the first place.
Mold Is Often A Sign That You Have A Bigger Problem
If you spot mold in your home, its often a sign that you have a water leak or plumbing issue that needs attention. Some species of mold also give off a musty odor, which is a telltale sign that youve got a bigger problem to address.
Mold is also a big concern in areas that have been impacted by significant storms and flooding. For example, mold formed in many buildings in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.
How To Find Hidden Black Mold In Your Home
by Lisa | Sep 11, 2019 | Mold |
Do you suspect you have mold hidden in your home? Whether you can visibly see mold growing or can smell an unpleasant earthy odor, mold is a common problem in houses with water damage or leaks. If you see signs of mold in your home, a black mold test can be performed on a sample to determine if it is indeed mold, what toxic variety it is, and what should be done about it.
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How To Identify And Prevent Mold In Your Home
Mold is the name for a group of small organisms that thrive in damp, dark environments. When found in nature, mold aids in the breakdown of dead plants and trees. But when mold begins to grow inside, it can quickly become a problem.
When mold starts to grow inside of a home, it releases spores into the air. When a person breathes these spores into their lungs, it can cause a variety of health problems, especially for those who already have asthma or other upper respiratory problems.
Mold typically grows in damp areas, such as a shower or bathtub. However, it can take hold on any home surface thats been exposed to moisture, such as the walls, ceilings, carpets or furniture.
Whether youre a first-time homeowner or youve been in a home for years, mold may not be something youve encountered before. However, when it comes to mold identification and what to do about it, its important to have all the information.
How Does Mold Thrive And Grow
Dampness is needed for mold to thrive and grow: Mold thrives where there is high moisture and humidity such as water damage with flooding or leaking pipes, condensation from steamy showers, small leaks in plumbing systems that often go unnoticed until its too late, excessive indoor humidifiers or air conditioning units, unvented gas stoves with humidifiers attached, etc.
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Check Your Petri Dish
After 48 hours, check your petri dish for signs of mold growth. If you do not see mold, wait another 24 hours and check again. If you still dont see mold, wait again for 24 hours and check one last time. If you do not see mold growth after 96 hours, your test did not detect any mold. If you do see mold on your test plate, you should take additional steps to remove the mold.
How To Spot Mold Growing In Your Home
What does black mold look like? Is that brown spot mold or just a stain? Although you dont have to identify the exact species of mold to know theres a problem, its a good idea to know how to spot mold growing in your home. The quicker you identify a potential problem area, the smaller the problem will be, and the easier it will be to resolve.
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Refrain From Installing Carpet In Areas Prone To Moisture
Theres a reason most kitchens and bathrooms have tile or vinyl floors. Carpet attracts moisture. When its put in areas prone to a lot of moisture, its more likely to soak up the moisture and grow mold. If you live in an older home and it came with carpet in these areas, consider having it removed in favor of tile or vinyl flooring both of which are non-porous and wont soak up moisture.
How Common Is Mold In Buildings
Mold is very common in homes and buildings.
One 2017 study found mold in every public building studied, with an average of about 14 instances of mold per building.
Another involving 31 European countries found mold in 1 in 6 homes. The author noted that the prevalence of mold may vary greatly depending on the regional climate.
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How To Identify And Treat Mold In Your Basement
yavdat / Getty Images
- Working Time: 3 – 4 hrs
- Total Time: 3 – 4 days
- Yield: 80 square feet of basement wall
- Skill Level: Beginner
- Estimated Cost: $30 to $60
If any place in the house will grow mold, it’s the basement. Basements collect and trap moisture, and moisture is one factor that leads to mold growth. And because basements have less natural light and airflow than other parts of the home, that mold will not die off on its own. Some strains of black mold can be a health hazard. Plus, mold can quickly decay organic materials such as wood, leading to structural failure. This means that identifying and treating mold in the basement should be a priority as soon as you believe that you have it.
Condensation And Persistent Moisture
Whether there is excess moisture on your windows, or condensation dripping from your pipes, a damp home is an ideal breeding ground for mold, and can be an indicator that mold is already present in your home. The best dehumidifiers serve as a good solution to reduce excess moisture as they will set the humidity in your home to the level you indicate on the dehumidifier. They aren’t a permanent solution, however, and you should consider getting your windows swapped for double-glazed panes, or having them re-sealed by a professional.
If you’re finding moisture on pipes, a plumber can help diagnose the problem here. In some instances, putting insulation around pipes can prevent moisture build-up, and in others you can consider running warm-water pipes away from cold ones, to avoid excess moisture build-up.
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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:
How To Identify Black Mold On Wood
You can positively identify this toxic fungus on wood in your home by knowing its most common signs. Rot, for example, is one of its most tell tale signs. If the wood in your floors, ceilings, walls and other fixtures appear to be rotted, you may suspect that this fungus is present in them.
Likewise, if the wood appears discolored or looks like it has water stains on it, you also may inspect them further for it. It can make wood bow out or warp after spores have taken root and spread. You may want to hire a professional inspector or remediation company to confirm its presence in your homes wood.
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Where Does Black Mold Come From
Black Mold can originate from many different sources. It thrives in damp areas with a lot of cellulose, such as cardboard or paper items. Black mold is also present in some foods that are high in cellulose and low acidity .
However, mold can grow in any warm, wet areas of the house such as basements, showers, crawlspaces, and especially on windows. It can form as the result of your ventilation not working properly or if you have leaky pipes.
If you suspect you have leaky pipes in your house, you should check your basement thoroughly for mold. You should also check showers, corners, and crawlspaces if you think your ventilation is not working properly.
If left unchecked it will cause serious damage to your home.
How To Identify Mold In Your House
The presence of mold in a house is sometimes hard to discover, but the mold is easily identifiable in some cases. Even if the mold that grows in your house is small, youll notice the area becoming dirty, but that isnt enough indication that you have a mold problem. Sometimes the mold grows in hidden areas that you wont spot with your naked eye.
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How To Test For Toxic Mold
If you have mold in your home, your nose is one of the most inexpensive devises you can use to detect it. Mold smells, and chances are, you’ll be able to detect the distinctive odor that taints the air around moldy walls, carpeting and other objects. The struggle is in understanding when mold is dangerous to your family or home.
The term toxic mold is a little confusing. Some molds, like Stachybotrys chartarum or black mold, produce mycotoxins, toxic substances that cause health problems in some people. There is no direct link yet between mold-produced toxins and serious conditions like idiopathic pulmonary hemorrhage in infants, but there are concerns that exposure to these toxins can exacerbate existing lung conditions and allergies, and possibly cause problems in otherwise healthy people. Common molds that aren’t considered toxic also have the potential to cause reactions in some people, which makes it important to get rid of any type of mold you find in your home as soon as possible, particularly if you suspect that someone in your family is having a reaction to it.
Mold can be scary. There are potential health implications for your family, and a mold outbreak can take a financial toll, too. Once established, mold can be very invasive, releasing millions of spores into your home. Many homeowners’ insurance policies now exclude or limit coverage for mold related problems.
First up, let’s learn a little more about household mold.
Think Home Climates For Indoor Air Quality Control
The best way to deal with mold is to prevent it from taking hold in your home. Evaluating the air quality in your home and taking control before things spiral out of control is the best way to protect your home and your loved ones who live there.
To manage your HVAC and air quality needs, Home Climates provides a variety of services in and around Harrisburg, including humidifier/dehumidifier and air purifier installation, plumbing and HVAC repair and a variety of HVAC systems for purchase. Our commitment to excellence have earned us a trusted reputation throughout the region. Whether youre addressing a mold problem or looking to get ahead of the game, were ready to help. For air quality testing or a free quote, call us today at 717-689-4151 or visit us online.
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Cleaning Up Small And Medium Mould Problems
Bleach is not necessary to clean up mould.
You can clean up small areas of mould if you follow the proper procedures and use the right protective equipment. Unless the mould growth is on smooth surfaces such as bathroom tiles, surface cleaning will not eliminate the problem.
In most cases you can clean up medium areas of mould if you follow the proper procedures and use the right protective equipment. Materials damaged by mould must be physically removed and disposed of under safe conditions. However, it is important to seek professional assistance if there is a large mould problem or if mould comes back after cleaning.
Susceptible individuals such as pregnant women, infants, children, the elderly, and occupants with asthma, allergies or other health problems should not be in or near the area where the mould is being cleaned up.
Minimum protective gear needed:
- a disposable N95 mask and
- household disposable gloves.
You can purchase an N95 mask from a hardware store. Make sure that the label says “N95”. Other masks are designed to provide limited protection against dust and are not suitable for protecting against mould exposure. Make sure that the mask is properly fitted and you can breathe through the mask.
Issues That Cause Mold And Mildew
Moisture is the chief cause behind the growth of mold and mildew. Mold spores entering your home are 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
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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 Causes Harmful Mold In The Home
The key to controlling indoor mold growth is preventing water problems that feed the fungus. Mold begins to grow after the spores land on a wet or damp surface. Molds will not spread to all areas of your home mold growth depends on the humidity in your house. As a result, you may find some types of mold in certain rooms, while other rooms are mold-free.
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Perform A Visual Inspection
If you suspect you have mold, the first step is to perform a thorough visual inspection of your home. You will recognize mold as spots that can appear in many different colors. Mold thrives on moisture, so pay particular attention to roofs, windows, pipes, basements, laundry areas, bathrooms, previously flooded spaces, and so on. Mold commonly appears on fibrous surfaces like drywall, upholstery, wallpaper, fabrics, and cardboard. If you see any signs of mold, call a professional.
Use A Mold Testing Kit
Home improvement stores and online retailers sell mold test kits. Kits vary in cost, from $8 to $300, depending on the type.
A mold sample collection can only help you verify the presence of mold, so you may need a lab test to determine the type of mold present. Extra analyses can sometimes cost you $40 to $70.
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How Do I Address The Problem
Mold Clean-Up And Removal:
To clean up and remove indoor mold growth in small quantities, follow these steps as they apply to your home.
- Identify and Fix the Moisture Problem
- Begin Drying All Wet Materials
- Remove and Dispose of Mold Contaminated Materials
- Disinfect Surfaces – optional
- Remain on Mold Alert
- Identify and Fix the Moisture Problem – the most important step in solving a mold problem is to identify and correct the moisture sources that allowed the growth in the first place.
Common Indoor Moisture Sources Include:
- Flooding, inadequate maintenance and failure of building materials and systems
- House plants – watering them can generate large amounts of moisture
- Water movement through basement walls and slabs
Drying The Indoor Environment:
To keep indoor surfaces as dry as possible, try to maintain the home’s relative humidity between 20-40 percent in the winter and below 60 percent the rest of the year. You can purchase devices to measure relative humidity at some home supply stores. Ventilation, air circulation near cold surfaces, dehumidification and efforts to minimize the production of moisture in the home are all very important in controlling high humidity that frequently causes mold growth in our cold climate.
Begin Drying Of Wet Materials:
Remove And Dispose Of Mold-Contaminated Materials: