It is easy for mold to make itself at home in the deep, dark corners of your home. A little bit of humidity and a warm room is all mold needs to thrive. It is easy to spot in kitchens and bathrooms where it is easily detected. However, mold often lurks within darkened basements, hides deep within the ductwork, and finds sanctuary behind furnaces and water heaters where it is difficult to detect. Mold exists in almost every home, and it is not always visible. Knowing how to discover it and remove it correctly is crucial for protecting your family’s health and the physical structure of your home.
Start your inspection by looking for black or green specks on the walls, floors, and ceilings. You should also look for bubbling paint. This is a common indication that moisture has penetrated the surface and is collecting in the wood or drywall underneath. You will want to do this within every area in the home. Pay particular attention to these signs within bathrooms, crawlspaces, furnace/water heater rooms, storage rooms, and the attic.
During your inspection, you will want to move boxes and furniture, open cabinets, and peek within every nook and cranny you come across. This helps ensure that you don’t miss hidden pockets of mold in areas that you normally don’t pay much attention. For example, the back of bathroom cabinets, lower/upper shelves within closets, etc.
Within your attic, look for lumpy insulation and signs of roof leaks on the plywood and beams overhead. These signs often go hand in hand. If you do spot lumpy insulation, conduct a closer inspection to see if black/green spots are lurking on bats or within blown insulation.
Be alert for odors that you come across. “Musty” smells are often a strong indicator that mold is present. If you walk into a room, move an object, and catch a whiff that is musty, there is a better than even chance that mold is the cause. Similarly, pay attention to the health of family members and pets within the home. Mold spores circulating through the home can trigger allergic reactions in humans and pets. These can include watery eyes, sneezing, runny noses, headaches, wheezing, irritated skin, and coughing.
Chimneys are another common hideout for hidden mold. Snow, rain, and ice can seep through a damaged chimney cap and provide the fuel it needs to thrive. When mold is present within the chimney, it can deliver a musty smell into the home. It can also leave visible discoloration on bricks and mortar which is often the first sign people notice.
As you walk around, make a note of any soft spots in the flooring. Soft spots on hardwood floors or in carpeted areas are common indicators of wood rot. Rot spreads slowly and surely which is why it should be addressed without delay. Where carpet or wood is present, you will notice discoloration. However, mold cannot penetrate through tile or stone so your only sign may be that it feels soft and squishy when walked upon.
Mold can be present in every home and homeowners need to remain vigilant against the damage and health issues it can trigger. Homeowners should conduct frequent inspections to remove mold and remediate rooms as soon as mold is discovered. Homeowners who have recently dealt with water leaks, flooding, or heavy rains should increase their inspection frequency in the weeks and months following any event where excess moisture was present within the home.
Most importantly, it is critical to hire a professional remediation company to remove the mold otherwise the mold can thrive and come back.
