5 Signs That There Is Mold In Your Home

If you’ve kept track of our blog, you know that mold is a harmful presence in your home. Because they are so rainy and moist, Seattle and Federal Way are especially prone to developing mold in homes and businesses. Mold can cause numerous health concerns and aggravate existing health issues. But even though mold is a prevalent issue in Washington homes, it can sometimes be difficult to spot the signs of mold in your home. That’s why we’ve assembled this quick list of five signs that there is mold in your home.

#1: There’s An Odor

One of the most telling signs of mold growth in your home is the odor. Mold often comes with a musty, funky odor. Akin to the smell of an old book or a pile of used canvas, the smell of mold is more noticeable to some than others, so you might have a friend or family member help you sniff out your mold problem.

#2: Visible Patches Of Mold

This is perhaps the most obvious sign. If you can find mold growing in one part your home, likely you have other patches growing throughout your home. Mold can be found growing in cool, dark, and damp places. Basements, bathrooms, and underneath kitchen sinks are the most common places to find mold colonies. However, mold can spread rapidly across your home, and you might be surprised where mold can appear. From garages to garden sheds and everywhere in between, it’s important to seek out all of the mold in your home when you first discover it.

#3: Health Symptoms

If you suspect that there is mold growing in your home, your suspicions were likely raised by changes in allergies or your general health. If you find yourself sneezing more frequently, experiencing a runny nose or watery eyes, these are some common signs that your home may have a mold problem. Some other, more severe symptoms include regular dizzy spells, chronic headaches, and even short-term memory loss. While these are sometimes attributed to a cold, if they persist, there’s a good chance that your home is infested with mold.

#4: Water Leaks

If you have a leak in your house, you’ll probably have a colony of mold growing nearby. In some cases, your water leak is as obvious as a dripping faucet or loose connection under a sink. In other cases, a water leak is far more subtle, and a pipe in your floor, ceiling, or walls might be leaking. In these instances, the mold is growing inside your house, probably at the site where the leak first started.

#5: Recent Or Past Floods

If your home has experienced any flooding, you almost certainly have mold growing where the water pooled and collected for the longest. This is common, especially in basements. Because the water permeated nearly every surface and object that was flooded, mold can grow quickly in places that aren’t always obvious upon first inspection. This includes under floors and behind walls.

Worried about mold? Now Environmental Services is here to help with our mold testing kits and surveys for your home in Seattle. We’ll take samples of your indoor air quality as well as of sites of suspected mold growth. Call us today for a free phone consultation!