Mold is one of the most serious problems that can impact your home or business. It thrives in moist, damp conditions and can spread throughout your property within a matter of days. If left untreated, mold can result in significant health issues for individuals with allergies or a history of respiratory conditions.
While there are some instances where a mold issue is obvious and easy to detect, such as when you have dark stains on your bathroom tiles or a musty odor, there are many situations where mold growth is much harder to spot. The following warning signs may be a clue that you have a mold problem that needs to be addressed by a professional mold remediation company.
Visual Signs of Mold Growth
There are a variety of visual signs that you may have a mold problem. If you detect any of these warning signs, you should contact a mold remediation company at once to determine whether you have a mold outbreak.
Dark Stains or Patches
When mold is clearly growing on a surface in your home or business, it will often be obvious and easy to detect. Mold is commonly black, dark green or brown in color, depending on the type of mold and the surface it is growing on. It often appears as dark spots or patches on:
- Walls
- Bathroom tiles
- Ceilings
- Floors
- Windowsills
Mold can have a slimy, fuzzy or powdery texture, and it can be easily smeared if you touch it (although we advise you not to touch anything that looks like it might be mold since this can cause it to spread).
Bubbling/Peeling Wallpaper or Warped Paint
Bubbling or peeling wallpaper is often a sign of a moisture problem in the wall, and this may mean that you have mold growing underneath the wallpaper. Similarly, warped or blistering paint is often a sign that there is a moisture problem within the wall that may provide an optimal breeding ground for mold.
Keep in mind that not all peeling wallpaper or blistering paint is a sign of mold growth – it can also simply be due to a poor painting or paper hanging job. But when these signs are accompanied by recent water damage, damp conditions or some of the other signs of mold growth discussed below, you should consider having your home or business tested for mold.
Spotted Clothing, Fabric or Upholstery
If you see white or black spots on your clothing that feel slimy or fluffy, it may be a sign that you have a mold problem in your home. Mold is easily retained in porous materials such as fabric and upholstery, so if your furniture exhibits these spots, it is also likely that you have mold.
Spots on Your AC Filter
If mold begins to grow in your HVAC system, it will spread throughout your home or business, creating an even bigger problem. You can check for signs of a mold problem in your HVAC system whenever you change the filter. If you see black, brown or green spots on the filter, you should contact a mold remediation specialist.
Musty Odors
Sometimes you may not be able to see any signs of mold, but you can smell it. Mold often gives off a stale, musty odor. At first, the smell may be faint but over time, it will typically intensify. When mold grows unchecked, it will begin releasing microbial volatile organic compounds into the air which give off unpleasant musty smells that resemble old books, wet paper or an old, wet towel.
If you begin noticing any of these odors, it's a sign that you may have mold growing somewhere in your home or business. If these musty odors are primarily occurring when your air conditioning is running, it's a sign that you might have a mold problem in your HVAC system.
Health Issues
One of the reasons mold is such a serious problem is that it can cause a variety of health issues for individuals who are exposed on a regular basis. If you notice a family member or employee is exhibiting any of the following health issues, it may be a sign that you have mold growing in your home or business:
Asthma, Persistent Allergies or Respiratory Conditions
Mold can trigger an adverse reaction in anyone with allergies, asthma or a history of respiratory conditions. Often, mold can exacerbate the symptoms associated with these conditions and result in persistent:
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Sneezing
- Nasal congestion
- Red, watery eyes
- Chest tightness
- Shortness of breath
- Itchy eyes, nose or throat
- Dry, scaly skin
If these symptoms are worse when you're at home or work, it's likely a sign that you've been exposed to mold growth. This is especially likely if you notice that these symptoms get worse in certain areas of your home or workplace such as bathrooms, basements, attics or near air vents. These areas are common breeding grounds for mold due to a higher moisture content.
Chronic Fatigue and Headaches
Even if you don't have allergies, asthma or a history of respiratory conditions, you may still potentially develop adverse health issues from continued mold exposure. Certain types of mold have been linked to the development of sick building syndrome (SBS), a condition caused by poor air quality in enclosed spaces.
The most common symptoms of sick building syndrome are headaches and fatigue. If you regularly experience these symptoms shortly after entering the building and they improve once you leave, it's a sign that you may have SBS and you should schedule mold testing for your home or business.
Unusual Pet Behavior
Humans aren't the only ones who can have an adverse health reaction to mold. Your pets can be affected too. In many cases, pets can be more severely affected since they're smaller in size and don't have as well developed of an immune system. Dogs are especially prone to health issues from mold since they're likely to sniff around those areas and can even ingest mold spores accidentally.
If your pets are exhibiting the following symptoms, it may be a sign that there's mold growth in your home:
- Lethargy
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Labored breathing
- Decreased appetite
- Vomiting
Previous Water Damage
If you've experienced a prior water damage event in your home or business that wasn't addressed correctly, it's likely that you have mold growth. High moisture environments create optimal conditions for mold and it often accompanies water damage. Even small, slow leaks from a pipe or faucet can cause mold growth if it's not repaired in a timely manner. Always make sure to inspect your home or business for mold if you've had any type of water damage, even if it's only minor.
JRCC Can Help if You Have Mold in Your Home or Business
If you have a mold issue in your home or business, it's critical to have it addressed by a professional mold remediation company to ensure that the mold is not only eliminated, but that it won't return. JRCC is the leading mold remediation company in Eastern Washington. Our team has over 30 years of experience and uses the most advanced techniques and equipment to restore a safe and healthy environment in your home or business. Our meticulous process adheres to industry best practices, giving you peace of mind that the entire process will be handled correctly.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment. JRCC provides mold remediation services in Wenatchee, Moses Lake, Ellensburg, Yakima and throughout Eastern Washington.