Mold is a dangerous, unwanted guest in your home. Unfortunately, it’s not always easy to spot and can cause more damage the longer it goes unnoticed. However, you don’t need to have a full home inspection done every few months to make sure your house is mold-free. You can do mold testing at home without any specialized equipment. Most molds give us signs and conditions that can alert you to their presence as long as you’re paying attention. By following these tips, you’ll be able to notice when there may be mold in your house and have the know-how to investigate further.
Signs of Mold
The most obvious sign of mold is visual. Mold is easy to see, since it’s dark in color and splotchy in pattern. But mold doesn’t often grow in visible places. Mold typically hides in air ducts, walls, crawl spaces, and other hidden areas. Mold thrives in places with high humidity, so if you are regularly checking your home, be sure to spend extra time in places where water is likely to leak or has leaked/flooded in the past.
Your next best indicator of mold is the smell. Most molds leave behind a musty scent that’s noticeable, even if it’s behind a wall. If an area of your home smells musty, that could be a good indicator of mold. Mold also causes allergy-like symptoms, even if you aren’t specifically allergic to mold. If you or your family are experiencing runny noses, sore throats, or dry eyes and aren’t sick or experiencing other allergy reactions, you may have mold in your home.
Testing for Mold
Your local hardware store or home improvement store will carry at-home mold tests. If you do suspect mold, you can buy one of these tests and check for yourself. Just follow the instructions that come with it, and soon you’ll know whether your suspicions are true. You can always call a home inspector to check if you’re unsure of the results or don’t feel confident testing yourself.
Because visual confirmation is the best way to find mold, you can also easily check for mold behind walls if you suspect it. Take a small screwdriver and try digging into the wall. Mold tends to break down drywall, so if the screwdriver goes in too quick or the wall feels soft, there’s a good chance there’s mold. You can use a small camera to take a peek through the hole and confirm your suspicions. If you believe there is mold or are unsure of what you see, have a mold inspector double-check with their specialized tools to be sure.
If you have or believe you have mold in your home, getting rid of it ASAP should be your top priority. Our technicians are fully certified to remove mold safely and quickly from your home. So call Pro Steamer Cleaning and Restoration today at (575) 623-0993. We can test for mold and offer mold removal services for your home.
Mold is a dangerous, unwanted guest in your home. Unfortunately, it’s not always easy to spot and can cause more damage the longer it goes unnoticed. However, you don’t need to have a full home inspection done every few months to make sure your house is mold-free. You can do mold testing at home without any specialized equipment. Most molds give us signs and conditions that can alert you to their presence as long as you’re paying attention. By following these tips, you’ll be able to notice when there may be mold in your house and have the know-how to investigate further.
Signs of Mold
The most obvious sign of mold is visual. Mold is easy to see, since it’s dark in color and splotchy in pattern. But mold doesn’t often grow in visible places. Mold typically hides in air ducts, walls, crawl spaces, and other hidden areas. Mold thrives in places with high humidity, so if you are regularly checking your home, be sure to spend extra time in places where water is likely to leak or has leaked/flooded in the past.
Your next best indicator of mold is the smell. Most molds leave behind a musty scent that’s noticeable, even if it’s behind a wall. If an area of your home smells musty, that could be a good indicator of mold. Mold also causes allergy-like symptoms, even if you aren’t specifically allergic to mold. If you or your family are experiencing runny noses, sore throats, or dry eyes and aren’t sick or experiencing other allergy reactions, you may have mold in your home.
Testing for Mold
Your local hardware store or home improvement store will carry at-home mold tests. If you do suspect mold, you can buy one of these tests and check for yourself. Just follow the instructions that come with it, and soon you’ll know whether your suspicions are true. You can always call a home inspector to check if you’re unsure of the results or don’t feel confident testing yourself.
Because visual confirmation is the best way to find mold, you can also easily check for mold behind walls if you suspect it. Take a small screwdriver and try digging into the wall. Mold tends to break down drywall, so if the screwdriver goes in too quick or the wall feels soft, there’s a good chance there’s mold. You can use a small camera to take a peek through the hole and confirm your suspicions. If you believe there is mold or are unsure of what you see, have a mold inspector double-check with their specialized tools to be sure.
If you have or believe you have mold in your home, getting rid of it ASAP should be your top priority. Our technicians are fully certified to remove mold safely and quickly from your home. So call Pro Steamer Cleaning and Restoration today at (575) 623-0993. We can test for mold and offer mold removal services for your home.
