Signs of Mold in the House

The word mold alone conjures up images that make the stomach turn. Whenever they hear this term, most people think about the curdled milk smell and green spots on sandwich bread. But how do you know that you have mold in the house?

When this hazardous fungus infests or grows in your house, its signs might not be obvious. Even a sparkling, spotless home can have mold in unexpected areas. Nevertheless, you can notice the following signs of black mold if you’re keen.

• Musty and stale odors
• Fur and spots on your walls
• Tarnished tiles
• Funky AC filters
• Carpet contaminations
• Asthma or allergy flare-ups
• Fungus in your furniture
• Persistent cold or cough
• Warped walls

These signs should prompt you to contact us to schedule your mold testing in Fort Lauderdale, FL. We will inspect your house and collect samples for examination to determine the types of mold in your building.

Common Causes of Mold

Mold spores are everywhere because this fungus is part of nature. It helps with organic matter decomposition and nutrient recycling in ecosystems. Mold is essential outdoors, but its growth indoors is hazardous and can damage properties. This fungus reproduces through airborne spores that move to virtually any place. However, the fungus grows where it finds suitable conditions. Here are common causes of mold in homes.

Mold spores: As hinted, mold spores are airborne, and they can settle anywhere in your home, including the basement causing the growth of this fungus.

Darkness: Mold can’t grow under ultraviolet light. Therefore, it mainly grows in dark places, such as the crawlspace and behind drywall.

Warmth: Mold can’t survive in too hot or too cold conditions. Instead, it requires temperatures between 22 and 27 degrees Celsius to thrive and reproduce.

Oxygen: Mold requires oxygen to live, grow, and reproduce. Oxygen is vital for mold to complete the organic processes of dividing the cells and forming a mass.

Water leaks and humidity: Mold requires moisture to survive. That’s why it mainly grows where pipes and roofs leak. Also, it grows in wet basements. Ideally, mold grows in slightly damp places or highly humid areas.

If you have any place with such conditions at home, look keenly, and you might notice the signs of this hazardous fungus.

Types of Symptoms from Mold

Most people suspect they have mold in their homes when they experience respiratory health problems. While the presence of this fungus won’t necessarily make you sick, you may notice the following symptoms of mold exposure.

Allergic irritant symptoms

Mold exposure causes allergic irritations and related problems, such as allergic alveolitis, allergic sinusitis, and rhinitis, among others.

Toxic symptoms

Mold spores are poisonous to most people. Therefore, the immune system responds when a person inhales them. For this reason, mold exposure can cause asthma attacks with signs like coughing, breath shortness, wheezing, and chest tightness.

Infections

Some people don’t experience health complications even when breathing in mold spores regularly. However, individuals with some health conditions can develop histoplasmosis, aspergillosis, valley fever, and sporotrichosis.

Professional Mold Testing

Perhaps, you’re searching for “mold testing near me” online after noticing the above symptoms produced by molds. Luckily, we help them determine whether this hazardous fungus has infested their houses. Maybe you’ve experienced a bad smell and other signs of this fungus in your home.

At O2 Mold Testing, we have the expertise and equipment to test your property for mold. Our crew will collect samples from your home and take them to an independent laboratory for examination. What’s more, we will tell you the types of mold in your home and help you develop a remediation plan.

We will work with you to get rid of mold from your house and guide you about ways to prevent the reoccurrence of the problem.

How to Prevent Mold

Here’s what you can do to prevent mold growth in your home:

• Ensure unrestricted airflow in your home
• Keep humidity level low
• Fix leaks in plumbing and the roof
• Clean up and dry out your space after a flood
• Use mold-killing products to clean bathrooms
• Use mold inhibitors when painting your home
• Remove soaked upholstery and carpets
• Call O2 Mold Testing if you suspect mold presence in your home to schedule an appointment.