How to Find Toxic Mold in Your House

What is mold exactly? Mold is a type of fungus that can cause many problems in your home. It is mostly common among damp areas, as the moisture causes it to spread rather quickly. Unfortunately, it is non-discriminatory and can grow on any type of surface, which leaves your whole house at risk.

Tips for detecting mold in your house

Finding mold in your house is not always easy, but finding it is vital. Having mold spread throughout your home can cause health and financial burdens. Current studies have shown an increase in homes with mold due to problems with moisture inside the home. You will notice rapid growth in your house in areas like your bathroom or basement. Roofs with damage can also start leaking which attributes to a portion of the growth. Detecting it in the early stages will save you a lot of time and money you put into the repairs of your home, so consistent checks will be very beneficial for you.

1.) Check Your Basement

Basements commonly have floods and leaks, keeping them damp and being a notorious breeding ground for mold. You will want to thoroughly check your basement on a regular basis because it is more likely than not your basement will be filled with toxic mold if you don't. Common signs to look for are water leakage or stains on the ceiling or walls. An apparent musty smell will also be an indicator that it is growing in your home.

2.) Look For Visible And Hidden Mold

Learning about distinctive features of mold will help you detect mold throughout your house. They generally have an appearance similar to cotton and can be gray, green, black, or white. Hidden mold is the most dangerous because it can spread without you even knowing it is there. Signs such as repetitive nasal blockage and clearing of the throat are indicators of spores in the home.

3.) Do A Smell Test

Using your sense of smell is extremely handy when trying to detect mold inside your home. It has a very distinctive "musty" smell that can be hard to miss in some cases. It resembles a "earthy" almost rotten water smell. Do not be deceived though, there are certain species of mold that have little if not no smell at all.

4.) Mold Detection Tests

Many hardware stores offer a "do-it-yourself" mold detection kits. While these may be very helpful in detecting it, you may be more comfortable using someone with experience to test your home.

5.) Hire A Mold Inspector

If you feel you have seen indicators and are certain there is mold somewhere in your house, you will benefit from hiring a certified inspector. There are many companies and individuals who will help you pin-point the exact location of the growth in your home and will also help you repair the situation.

Source : ezinearticles