Molds are fungi that grow both indoors and outdoors. Outside, their hardiness, efficient reproductive system, and ability to break apart animal and plant matter gives them an important ecological role. Unfortunately, these same traits are what makes mold so problematic when encountered indoors.
As with all issues in life, the best way to prevent a mold infestation in your house is by identifying the problem early on. This way, you can deal with it before it can endanger your health and result in serious mold damage in San Diego.
But how do you detect a mold infestation before it can really get out of hand? What are the top 3 telltale signs of indoor mold? Who can you call if you need professional-grade mold remediation? Read on to find out.
How do you detect mold in a house?
Mold always starts out as a small spot, but grows quickly from there. Unless it’s in an out-of-the-way location (such as in HVAC vents or insulation), it should be readily visible to the naked eye. The best time to check your home for mold is while carrying out your spring home maintenance, as this will give you ample opportunity to get into the nooks and crannies of your property.
Molds vary widely when it comes to their color, and they can look cottony, velvety, or powdery. In some cases, they may resemble old stains or splotches of dirt. Luckily, there are easy ways to figure out if these stains are really stains, or if they’re actually “camouflaged” mold.
If any of these are the case, it’s probably mold:
- It has an earthy, musty odor
- There’s a source of moisture nearby, and not a lot of light
- The material the mold is growing on is cracking, peeling, or warping
- A drop of bleach causes its color to lighten after 1-2 minutes
- Unlike dirt and old stains, mold grows over time
Molds often appear in places that we either can’t see or don’t visit often, such as in the attic, basement, inside walls, under area rugs, and so on. If this is the case, you may not be able to catch it before it can damage your property and potentially harm your health.
What are the signs of a mold infestation?
Here are 3 biggest signs you’re dealing with a mold infestation:
1. Strange smells are coming out of your HVAC system
Standalone AC units located in heated closets or basements are often a fertile environment for mold. Excess moisture can also cause mold to take root inside the HVAC vents themselves. This not only makes nasty odors come out of your heating and cooling system, it also enables mold spores to get into other parts of your home.
2. Wallpaper is peeling
If your wallpaper is cracking, bubbling, peeling, or suffering other surface abnormalities, there’s a chance the walls are moldy. Furthermore, if any parts of the wall look warped or feel damp, you should definitely have your house checked for mold.
3. You’re not feeling well
High amounts of mold spores in the air can make you feel constantly tired or like you have a cold. They can also aggravate respiratory conditions such as asthma and allergies. To make matters worse, children who live in moldy homes are at an increased risk of developing asthma later in life.
What should I do if my house has suffered extensive mold damage in San Diego?
Mold can appear in any home or office regardless of whether it’s located on Shelter Island or in Downtown San Diego. If not dealt with immediately, a mold infestation can cause property damages, severely reduce indoor air quality, and negatively impact the occupants’ health.
This is where Risk Free Serv comes in. We’re a locally owned and operated remediation company that specializes in mold, water, fire, and smoke restoration and remediation. Call us today and take full advantage of our high-performance equipment and our fair and ethical pricing system.