January 19, 2021
Mold damage is one of the most pervasive and difficult-to-fix issues for homeowners. Some owners try to spray the area with bleach and then paint over it. Then the mold returns, eats through the paint, and spreads across the walls.
However, a case of returning mold isn’t even a worst-case scenario. At least the problem is being taken care of. The worst-case scenario is black mold growth in the walls and foundation that goes unnoticed for months or years, growing and spreading across the home. Over time, the toxic spores float into your home and your family’s lungs, and sickness sets in. During this time, expensive damage is happening to your home's foundation.
Even if you catch mold in time to stop it from damaging your home’s foundation and family's health, mold usually isn’t an easy fix for many homeowners. Are you curious if your home has mold damage? Here are some signs of mold damage to look for:
Mold growth isn’t always visible in your home. Mold can take a while to grow in the dark spaces between walls, underneath your flooring, around your pipes, and in your ceiling. But once it becomes visible on the outside of walls, door frames, and other areas, you often have a terrible mold problem. Mold comes in many forms, ranging from threads, powder, small black spots, and velvety globs. Mold can also be different colors including green, gray, brown, black, white, orange, pink, and even purple.
Not all signs of mold are as obvious as the velvety fungus spreading across the walls. Here are some additional signs of mold:
Moisture breeds mold. If you have moisture hanging around your home for extended periods, mold will likely grow. Make sure to keep an eye on your walls, floors, and ceilings because those are easy places to spot water damage. Discolored walls, floors, and ceilings are one of the most common signs. However, you may also notice bubbling, blistering, cracking, or peeling wallpaper or paint. Your floorboards might feel squishy or like they're buckling. All of these could signal mold growing in your walls ceiling or floor.
If your home has a history of leaky pipes, you should carefully examine them for mold damage. Mold damage can be hard to find at first but if you have leaky pipes and water seeping into your walls and foundation, there is a chance you'll find mold there.
Contrary to popular belief, houses, even old houses, are not supposed to smell musty. If your home smell musty, you should definitely consider the possibility that you have mold growth and that it could be damaging your drywall, foundation, insulation, and other parts of your home.
Some toxic varieties of mold tend to form in or around your humidifier and HVAC system. If you smell a weird odor coming from those systems, you should turn them off immediately, and get help.
Some people get horrible allergies from year to year. Some fortunate people don't have allergies at all. If you are one of the people who don't have allergies but you are experiencing symptoms including runny nose, sore throat, trouble breathing, fatigue, and watery eyes, you might be exposed to mold. These symptoms are especially common with the black mold variety. Black mold contains a toxic chemical that directly affects the nervous system and can cause issues with your respiratory system and digestive system. If you're not prone to allergies but you're suddenly experiencing these symptoms, you might have a devastating mold problem in your walls.
If you already have a respiratory issue like asthma, mold can make your symptoms much worse. If you find that your asthmatic symptoms worsen in certain houses, there could be mold hiding in the walls, ceiling, and floor.
If a home was flooded, mold growth is almost guaranteed. If you know your home has flooded, check the basement thoroughly for mold growth.
If you aren’t sure if your home or the home you’re buying has been through a flood, a home inspector can check your home and let you know if there are signs of previous flooding. A common sign to look for is areas in the ground directly next to the house where the ground is flat and then suddenly drops inches lower. If you’re buying a home, it’s important to check with the seller. You can also speak to an insurance agent about running a Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Evaluation (CLUE) report. If past reports were filed about the property, it would show up here.
100% removal of mold is possible with the help of Advanced Restoration and Maintenance. Our team has provided water damage repair services and home/business remodeling in the Kalispell, Montana community for years. Need to set up a consultation? Call us at (406) 858-0054.
