Mold growth requires high moisture and humidity levels, and is often a common issue within the home. Mold exposure can cause health concerns like allergic reactions, skin irritation, respiratory issues, headaches, and fatigue, so despite being a common issue, it should be addressed quickly and effectively.
Unfortunately, mold often grows in areas that aren’t immediately visible. It’s important to understand the main indicators of mold growth to quickly identify an outbreak and begin the removal process as soon as possible.
Here are seven signs that you may have mold growing in your home.
- Stains or discoloration
Spotting water stains or discolorations on walls, ceilings, floors, or furniture, can be early signs of mold growth. These indicators may appear small at first, but will likely grow larger over time. Yellow, brown, or black spots likely indicate an early mold infestation, but darker streaks often lend themselves to more advanced growth.
- Peeling or bubbling paint
If you notice paint on your ceiling or walls starting to peel, bubble, or crack, this could be due to moisture seeping into the material. This collection of moisture creates the ideal environment for mold growth, so even if there isn’t any mold at this immediate point, there will likely be soon!
- Cracks, sagging, or warping
Similarly to the above point, cracks, sagging, or warping ceilings or walls can indicate severe water damage, with moisture trapped beneath the surface. This creates the perfect breeding ground for mold.
- Odor
One of the best ways to identify mold growth is a persistent musty or earthy smell. If mold is growing somewhere within the home that’s tucked away out of sight, the odor can sometimes be the only indicator of the problem.
- Condensation or dampness
Persistent condensation on surfaces like windows and walls can encourage mold growth in and around the moistened areas. If regular condensation is something you experience often in your home, consider purchasing a dehumidifier to remove this moisture from the air, reducing the likelihood of mold.
- Health symptoms
Whether you’re typically sensitive to allergens or not, people exposed to mold can experience health issues like sneezing, coughing, and eye irritation. If these particular symptoms seem to worsen when at home, it could be a sign that mold is present somewhere within the property.
- Visible mold growth
Of course, the most obvious sign of mold is seeing physical growth. However, many people relate the term ‘mold’ to a fuzzy, white appearance, when it can also appear in colors like black, green, and even pink, and may take on a slimy consistency. Patches of mold growth should be cleaned and sanitized as soon as possible, but you will also need to address the moisture source that has allowed the growth, otherwise, it’ll simply come back.
Where to check for mold growth
If you’ve spotted any warning signs of a potential mold infestation, check the following areas of your home for visible mold growth:
- Bathrooms – particularly around exhaust fans, behind toilets, around bathtubs, and in the corners of shower cubicles
- Kitchens – near sinks, above stove areas, and behind appliances like refrigerators
- Basements, attics, or crawl spaces – these areas often have higher humidity than other areas of the home, and are more susceptible to potential leaks
- Behind and under furniture – mold can grow unnoticed if the wall or flooring behind / under large pieces of furniture is damp
Although small instances of mold growth can be easily tackled yourself, in cases of large infestations, or if you cannot locate the moisture source facilitating the growth, always reach out to a mold remediation specialist.
Powerhouse is a full-service home and commercial services company based in Texas, specializing in mold removal and remediation.
