What Are The Signs of Mold Damage?

What is Mold?

Mold is a fungus that has been around for millions of years, according to the Centers for Disease Control.  It grows both indoors and out in nearly every kind of environment. Mold can grow year-round and thrives in warm and humid environments. It typically enters a home via "doors, windows, vents, and heating and air conditioning systems."  It can also be carried in through:

• Shoes and clothes
• Backpacks, luggage, and purses 
• Pets and other animals

What Causes Mold? 

Mold occurs when there is the presence of water and a lack of ventilation. It can easily develop from a one-time flood event, or from a small leak, over time. If you have had any of the following, you could have a moldy situation on your hands: 

• Roof leak
• Plumbing leak
• Toilet overflow
• Sink overflow
• Washer overflow
• Dishwasher leak
• Window condensation 
• Flood

Types of Mold

There are literally hundreds of thousands of varieties of mold. While some types are useful, the kind that can invade your home are not, especially the following three categories:

• Allergenic
• Pathogenic
• Toxigenic
  

Allergenic mold will cause discomfort like itchy, watery eyes, wheezing, sneezing, & other allergy-like symptoms. Pathogenic mold can be harmful to older adults and children and those individuals with compromised immune systems. Toxigenic is probably the scariest type and will need to be removed ASAP!

Signs of Mold in Your Home

There are certain easy signs to look for if you suspect mold growth. Insider.com specifically notes:

• Musty odors 
• Black or colored spots on your ceilings or walls 
• Itchiness
• Wheezing 
• Feeling lethargic 

To determine if you have mold, do a check of your entire home. Inspect each of the following areas to see if you notice any of these telltale signs of this unwanted houseguest: 

Ceiling Tiles

To check for mold on your ceiling, look for water damage, stains, or spots. If there has been a leak or any moisture seeping in, those stains could be harboring a mold infestation. Mold grows in a circular shape so look for small circles. The circles could be black, brown, dark green or even orange in color. The spots may also have a slightly furry appearance.

Wallpaper

Wallpaper can harbor mold behind the surface. Look for discolorations that appear to be black, green, gray, white, or brown in color. It can even be found growing behind vinyl wallpaper in colors like orange, pink & purple. 

Wood

Since wood is porous, it can easily become a vehicle for mold growth. Check wood for green or black dots, streaks, or even a whitish color.

Paper

Mold can also grow on paper products like books, magazines, and documents, whether it's active or inactive. Active mold will be damp and smear when wiped while inactive mold will appear powdery & has the ability to regrow very quickly.

Cardboard

Do you have cardboard boxes in your basement? If so, always check them for signs of mold!  If they become even the slightest bit wet, get rid of them! On cardboard, it may look like a white powder in blue, green, or black. If not removed, the mold spores will destroy the cardboard completely! 

Painted Walls

Simply painting over mold will not kill it. Mold can still thrive and grow under the paint. Check your painted walls and look for a yellowish tinge in areas, or cracked, peeling or bubbling paint. If someone has painted over mold, it has likely prevented the paint from adhering to the wall and you will notice the bubbling. 

Insulation

If you have fiberglass insulation in your home, that’s another place this pesky invader can grow. To inspect your insulation for signs of mold, you’ll need a flashlight, magnifying glass, a pair of disposable plastic gloves, a face mask, and goggles to protect yourself. Look for small dots that are brown, black, green, pink, orange or yellow in color.

Drywall

Put your hand on your wall. Does it feel damp? Is the wall bulging? A bulging wall could be harboring a mold colony behind it. Other signs you could have mold inside your drywall include discolorations, dark rings, & water stains.

Carpet

To check for mold on your carpeting, first do the smell test. Does your carpet smell musty? Inspect your carpet and area rugs closely for black, green, or white patches. If you don’t see anything on the surface, lift the carpet or rug up and inspect the underside. Check the floorboards & padding beneath. If you find evidence of mold, also check the area around the carpet, including furniture, baseboards and trim. Mold can spread quickly to these areas.

Fabric

Mold on fabric like clothing, backpacks, and other materials should be evident by its smell. The item will have a musty odor if it's harboring mold. Other evidence includes white or grey patches or green or black spots that appear furry or fuzzy. 

Upholstery & Leather

Mold can grow on upholstered and leather furniture like sofas, chairs, loveseats, and ottomans. Look for black, green, or grey patches or dots, accompanied by that telltale musty odor. The mold can be slimy looking or dry and powdery in appearance.

Dust

Mold spores can adhere to dust particles and spread through the air. It can also thrive and reproduce in dust with the right food sources: organic matter like soap, textiles, skin cells and pet dander. Mold requires three things to reproduce: moisture, warmth and a food source. Eliminating one or more of these can prevent it from spreading. 

Conclusion

The presence of mold is never fun and can cause illness to you and your family and pets, and costly damages to your home, especially in the above areas. Whatever the cause, it’s best to have it removed and take steps to prevent it from recurring. Consider it an investment in your family’s health and well being. 

Sources

• https://www.cdc.gov/mold/default.htm
• https://www.insider.com/signs-theres-mold-in-your-house-2018-7