Signs of Mold

Do you think you have mold? Do you know what the symptoms of mold are? Mold needs water, a food source, oxygen and a temperature between 40 degrees and 100 degrees Fahrenheit in order to grow. If disturbed, the mold spores can get airborne and spread throughout your home by the HVAC system. It’s important to be able to spot mold and react quickly if you have it. Here are three signs of mold to help determine if you have mold.

1. A Strange Odor: Mold has a pungent smell. When it is confined to one area of your home, you may notice an unpleasant odor when you are in that area. Mold can sometimes live within the walls or behind wallpaper, and so you might not immediately associate the smell with mold. If you do notice an unusual persistent odor in your home, the culprit may be mold.
2. The Appearance of Mold: In your shower stall or bathtub, its easy to distinguish normal soap scum from mold. However, in the basement or cellar you may have to investigate a little further to find the mold. Mold will take hold of damp areas, so if you have a wall or floor where dampness collects, mold could very well be there as well.
3. Health Symptoms: Because mold is not always visible, it can be difficult realizing that you do indeed have a mold problem. It’s not uncommon for a person who lives in a home that has mold to feel better while at work or out shopping. Their health problems begin the moment they step through their front door; this is referred to sick building syndrome.

Here is a list of common symptoms if mold is present:

• Nasal and sinus congestion

• Eye irritation, such as itchy, red, watery eyes

• Wheezing and difficulty breathing

• Cough

• Throat irritation

• Skin irritation, such as a rash

• Headache