According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mold can cause many health effects like a sore throat, skin rash, and allergic reactions, which in particularly severe cases can lead to internal bleeding and pulmonary issues.
As a trusted service provider of mold removal in Brandon, we help clients keep their homes safe and comfortable. By learning the telltale signs of infestation, you can save both time and money by getting professional help right away.
Dark Spots on the Wall
If you start noticing dark spots on the walls in the bathroom or basement, your space may have mold. These blackish-green spots on surfaces could be black mold (Stachybotrys chartarum). These like to grow on fiberboard, gypsum board, and drywall, where it lives off organic matter.
Molds are not always black. Some molds appear white, others gray-green, and even pink. Even black mold, in its early stages, can appear gray or green, only becoming black when it releases spores. If you notice any discolored patches or stains on your walls, and more of the other signs of infestation in this article, you may have a mold problem and should contact a professional.
Signs of Water Damage/Pooling
Areas of water damage, like where you might have a leak can create an environment suited for mold growth, so it’s important to have those fixed immediately.
According to FEMA, mold can develop within 24 – 48 hours of water exposure. What’s worse, mold will continue to grow unless properly and completely removed—areas that had a mold infestation can get more growth in the future, if there are any lingering spores.
Other signs of water damage may be cracks or warping in the paint on the walls or ceiling, or peeling wallpaper. Properties with a history of flooding are also prone to mold growth. After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, for example, homes that survived the flooding had to deal with serious mold outbreaks, with particularly serious cases leaving the city government with no choice but to demolish the infested buildings.
After any particularly heavy rainfall or storms, it’s worth the effort to look around your house for places where water may have collected, especially in enclosed areas where it may take a long time to evaporate on its own, like basements, especially if you have basement windows where water may have seeped in. These are prime candidates for mold-growing areas.
Presence of Mold Odor
Some molds often give off a strong earthly or mildew-like odor. The Environmental Protection Agency explains that mold produces compounds called microbial volatile organic compounds (mVOCs) which cause the odor. mVOCs can cause irritation in the eyes and upper-airways, and trigger asthma and allergy attacks.
The mold odors are typically more pronounced in areas like:
- above the ceiling tiles
- in walls with insulation
- behind curtains
- under the carpets
If you notice a musty smell in these areas, even if they’re faint, it may be a mold problem, even if there are no visible signs of mold growth.
Condensation
When warm air meets a cold surface, condensation happens. This results in the formation of water droplets on surfaces like windows, walls, and air ducts. If this happens regularly, the moisture can cause mold growth.
Properly regulating your home or building temperature is a good way to combat the condensation and mold growth it usually causes. Installing dehumidifiers in humid areas like bathrooms are also a good way to prevent mold growth, but they won’t help much if mold is already present.
Unexplained Allergic Reactions
According to the CDC, moldy environments can cause a variety of health effects. However, people who are sensitive to mold can experience symptoms like stuffy nose, wheezing, itchy eyes, and red skin.
People with mold allergies or asthma may have intense reactions that include fever and shortness of breath.
If you or anyone in your family starts showing these symptoms, chances are you may have a mold allergy and your property has an infestation. Contact a professional to deal with the infestation as soon as possible, as mold removal requires a total cleansing of the area to clear out not just the mold but residual spores.
Trusted Mold Removal experts
For mold removal services in Brandon, get professional and reliable experts to help you. With Water Damage Brandon, we provide an honest and reliable approach when it comes to your mold problem. Reach out to us today to know more.
