No homeowner wants to find that their home has become infested with mold. Not only is it difficult to get rid of once it’s taken root in a home, but it can be difficult to identify, and extended exposure to mold can create a lot of health risks for the people living inside the home. Many homeowners don’t know what to look for when it comes to finding mold growth in their home. Here is what all homeowners should keep an eye out for when it comes to spotting the signs and symptoms of mold growth.

Physical Signs of Mold Growth

Mold growth can be difficult to spot because it can take on many different forms that can be easily mistaken for other things such as dust or dirt particles that wouldn’t be out of place in a home. For instance, here are some of the different appearances mold can take on:

• Dirt
• Dust
• Soot
• Salt and sugar
• Thread

Mold can also come in many different colors such as black, gray, brown, green, and white, so there’s no one thing to look for when trying to find mold growth. However, another physical sign of mold is its smell. Mold usually has a musty or earthy smell that gets stronger as more mold grows. If something smells odd in a home, there’s a chance that it may be because of mold. 

Symptoms of Mold Exposure

It’s common for mold to grow in locations that homeowners can’t see, such as in walls and ceilings, so homeowners may learn about mold through their own health. Some of the symptoms people may feel can seem like seasonal allergies. However, prolonged exposure to a mold infestation can be much worse. Here are some of the different symptoms people can experience when exposed to mold:

• Congestion
• Coughing, sneezing
• Sore throat
• Eye irritation
• Skin irritation
• Headaches

Mold exposure can also cause toxic mold syndrome, asthma flare ups, cancer, sudden infant death syndrome, miscarriages, and more. If mold is detected in a home, it is of the utmost importance to get it removed as quickly as possible to protect the health of those living in the home.

Where To Look For Mold Growth

Mold is fairly predictable when it comes to the places it likes to grow. Mold will often grow in areas that are prone to collecting moisture or being exposed to water. Examples of these sorts of places include:

• Windowsills
• Water pipes
• Basements
• Attics
• Inside walls

Using a dehumidifier can help to control mold growth as dehumidifiers remove moisture from the area they’re in. Running one in a basement or another mold-prone area can be an excellent first defense for preventing the start of mold growth. 

However, if mold growth can be found in the home outside the areas where it is prone to growing, it may be a sign that there are already larger mold colonies elsewhere in the home. Homeowners who find mold growth may want to consult a specialist who can help determine if their home has more mold in it that just isn’t visible. 

A mold infestation in a Suncrest home can be devastating to the people who live there. There are too many health concerns regarding mold to let it grow freely, so any homeowner who spots signs of mold or suspects mold growing in their home should contact a professional as quickly as possible in order to get it tested and removed.