Hidden mold in your building: Quick tips on recognising the subtle and not-so-subtle warning signs
There are plenty of industrial buildings and homes which have some level of mold present in them, but sometimes it is not immediately evident that there is a problem present or developing, it can be hidden.
Hidden mold in your building is a problem that needs to be rectified, but first, you need to be able to know how to recognise the subtle, as well as the not-so-subtle, warning signs.
A pervasive problem
Mold is bad news and is an issue that cannot be ignored as the problem is only going to get worse, especially if it is hidden. The end result is that mold will gradually destroy most of what it manages to grow on.
You may well need to call upon a mold remediation and asbestos testing service in an effort to remedy the situation, but the first thing you need to do is understand not just why mold needs to be eliminated, but how to spot that you have a problem.
The fundamental key to controlling mold is moisture control. Any water problem like a leak is going to encourage mold to grow, and it will ultimately cause damage to parts of your home, including furnishings.
There are also health issues associated with mold growth and excessive moisture, so you definitely need to tackle this pervasive problem as quickly as possible.
Understanding the cause of mold
If you are able to gain an understanding of what causes mold to grow, this will help you to eliminate the potential for growth in the first place, or at least help identify where you could have a problem in your house.
Mold spores are invisible to the naked eye, so you are not going to be able to spot theme as they float through the air, whether outdoors and indoors.
Moisture is at the root of the issue when trying to tackle mold. Mold spores are looking for surfaces that are wet, as they need water and moisture in order to be able to grow. Fix any problem you have with excess water in your property and you are going to be much more able to control mold growth if you control indoor moisture.
Signs of a problem
Combining all of your senses can help you to detect if there is a problem with mold in your house.
You might be able to see signs of mold, which may be evident in your bathroom, an obvious water hotspot, or if you have a basement, this is another popular location, as it can often be damp in areas that are below ground level.
Mold comes in a variety of colors, shades, shapes and sizes, so you could be looking at black mold, gray, or green discoloration. Some black molds are toxic and harmful to your health and also any pets in your home, but the problem is, that to the untrained eye, it might be difficult to determine whether you are dealing with a harmless mold or not.
If you can actually see mold growth in your home, it may be wise to get a professional to identify what type of mold you are actually dealing with.
Use your nose to detect a problem
There can be a noticeable pungent aroma attached to mold, so if you notice a specific area in your property is giving off an unpleasant odor that you simply can’t shift, that may well be a sign that there is mold present.
Mold could be present behind any wallpaper you have in that area or within the wall itself, so it may not be visible. This can mean that you may not automatically associate the pungent smell with mold because you can’t see it, but if the unpleasant aroma persists and can’t be shifted, it is definitely possible that you may have a mold problem.
Problems with your health
Another warning sign that you need to be vigilant about, is if the presence of mold is causing you some health problems.
If you regularly feel unusually tired, suffer from nasal congestion and have watering eyes, these are classic symptoms associated with mold.
Think about how you feel when you are away from your home. If you feel better when you are out and about, but start feeling tired and congested after returning to your property for a while, this could be a sign that you are suffering problems with your health as a result of being exposed to mold growth.
Don’t ignore any of the clues or symptoms described, as mold is not going to go away with some action take to resolve the situation.
Brandon Sinkbeil has over 12 years total experience working on various construction and environmental remediation projects on residential, commercial, municipal, and government projects.
