It’s estimated that up to 70 percent of American homes have mold. Additionally, about 45 million buildings have unhealthy levels of mold. Statistics also show that health facilities aren’t immune to this problem either because about 26 percent of them have a mold issue. Given its prevalence, it’s unsurprising that over 90 percent of chronic sinusitis problems are caused by mold in the home or work.
10 Signs of Black Mold in Your Home
1. Weird Smell Coming From the AC
Your AC can gather condensation that leads to mold growth. If that happens, you may notice a strange smell every time you turn it on.
2. Overall Musty Smell
A musty smell tends to follow wherever mold grows. Sometimes, it’s localized to one area but if the mold spreads, your home may have a general strange smell that you can’t identify.
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3. Warped Drywall
Drywall is made of paper and wood, which makes it an excellent place for mold to grow. As the drywall absorbs water, it can expand and lose its original shape.
4. Black Spots on the Wall
If mold is growing on or within the walls, you may see black spots on the surface. These spots will grow as the mold spreads.
5. Peeling Wallpaper
An increase in moisture on a wall’s surface will affect how well the wallpaper adheres to it. Before it starts to peel, you may notice little bubbles under the wallpaper.
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6. There’s Rust
Rust and mold love moisture. If there’s a lot of moisture in the air or on surfaces, you may see rust on metallic surfaces. Sometimes, what appears to be rust is another form of red mold.
7. Discolored Carpeting
Carpets and rugs are at a high risk of mold growth because they absorb moisture well. You should be wary of any discoloration or strange smells coming from the carpet.
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8. Spotty Furniture
Your furniture can also foster mold growth. The easiest ways to spot it are a musty smell and unexplained dark spots.
9. Dark Tile Grout
In many homes, mold first appears in the bathroom. Unfortunately, you may not realize that it’s happening because it looks like the grout between the tiles is getting darker. In reality, it’s mold growth that needs to be addressed.
10. Unexplained Moisture
If you’re seeing condensation in strange areas such as the ceiling or walls, there may be mold growing in places you can’t see.
What to do if There’s Mold
The way forward after you’ve found mold in your home depends on where it is and how far it’s spread. If you only see a small spot in an area that usually has moisture – like the bathroom – it’s possible that cleaning with a bleach solution will be enough to take care of the problem. However, if there are large spots and the mold has spread to other locations in your house, then it’s time to call in the professionals. They will be able to locate the source of the mold and clean it up appropriately.
If you suspect the problem is your air conditioning or heating systems, then that should be handled by the professionals as well. Everything that has been contaminated by mold should be cleaned immediately.
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How to Prevent Mold Growth
The best way to prevent mold growth in your home is to control the level of moisture. Generally, you can accomplish this by having proper ventilation, regular maintenance checks, and humidifiers where necessary. You should also know that it can help to reinforce your home if you live in an area that’s prone to flooding. If flooding occurs or a pipe leaks, it’s important to check that there are no moist areas left behind that would encourage mold growth.
How Mold Affects Your Health
Mold can affect your health in a variety of ways. Some of the symptoms you may notice include headaches, fatigue, stuffed or runny nose, sore throat, skin rash, watery eyes, sinusitis, dry cough, nausea, fever, shortness of breath, and wheezing. If you have a compromised immune system or have been exposed for a long time, the symptoms can be much worse. In that case, you may experience bronchitis, pneumonia, trouble breathing, chest tightness, slowed reflexes, confusion, difficulty concentrating, and short-term memory loss.
Many homes are affected by black mold every year but you can spot the signs when you know what you’re looking for. It’s best to get rid of it as soon as possible so it doesn’t affect your health.
