Have you noticed the change in the air quality in your home? Sure, this can occur due to weather conditions, but if this persists for some time, the issue might be more serious. In addition, if you have noticed spots on the walls, ceiling, in the laundry room, or bathroom, you have to investigate the matter further because these are all signs that something can seriously be wrong with your house.
Mold is common problem homeowners are faced with, and it isn’t anything that cannot be resolved. Still, you have to act as soon as you notice these tell-tale signs. In the following article, you will learn about some methods and techniques you can use to inspect your house for this infection.
1. Is there an earthy odor?
Generally speaking, the first sign that your home might be infected with mold is the musty odor. If you notice this smell, it is time to act. It is a sure sign that the mold is forming somewhere, even if there aren’t any visible signs of it. Keep in mind that this odor will probably be restricted to one area of the home in the initial stage, where the infection is starting to form. If you have ruled out other potential sources, you should hire professionals to come and take a look.
2. Are there any spots?
The next thing you can do is conduct an inspection of your own. It is really easy to notice the mold spots in places such as the shower or near your kitchen sink. However, when it comes to the attic and basement, you will have to be more thorough. As you surely know, mold loves damp areas, so if there is a place where the moisture accumulates, even if it is the smallest corner, you have to act fast. Otherwise, you can rest assured that the infection will grow and spread around at the speed of light.
Moreover, depending on the type of mold, it can be difficult to notice any changes, especially when it comes to areas where you don’t spend a lot of time. Due to this reason, you should have your entire home inspected by professionals once or twice a year. They will perform certain tests by using their tools, and soon, they will inform you if you have a problem or not.
What’s more, they can test the air quality and provide you with numerous other services, so you should learn more about the entire process on https://www.elitemoisture.com/.
3. Have you experienced any water damage?
If you have recently had to deal with leaky pipes, appliances, or a damaged roof, you have to be extra careful when inspecting the house. If you haven’t done a thorough cleaning and haven’t dried every inch correctly, the chances of mold forming are very high. This is the main reason people are advised to hire experts for this job. Still, if the damage was minor, and you managed to deal with it on your own, you should still keep an eye on it.
According to moldtesters561.com, in case you notice any moisture, it is crucial to locate the source of it as soon as possible. If you are lucky, meaning that you have found the problem immediately, you have to resolve it and prevent the infection from spreading.
4. Where to look for it?
When conducting a routine scan, there are certain places you have to check out carefully. Firstly, begin with the area that was affected by water damage, as already explained. Then, move to the basement and attic since this is where the mold most commonly occurs, and since people aren’t in the habit of inspecting them too often, it spreads easily throughout the house, and then they face a serious issue.
Once you are done with these, move to the bathroom, laundry room, and even your kitchen. Basically, check every room where the humidity and moisture can build up. Don’t forget to take a peek into closed spaces, such as cabinets, and behind the appliances, such as a washing machine, dryer, fridge, and even the AC unit.
Finally, examine the windows, walls, and floor. When it comes to these places, it can be challenging to notice the mold since it can hide behind the wallpaper or the carpet and couch. If you suspect that it is there, you should remove everything and clean the area. On the other hand, if you know for a fact that your home is infected, you should hire professionals and leave this task to them.
5. Test the air
If you have noticed that the air quality has changed, but you cannot find the source of it, you can perform a simple test for airborne mold. There is a variety of these test kits you can purchase in a local store, and they come with all the tools you will need for a detailed inspection.
However, keep in mind that these aren’t always 100% reliable. It may fail to detect the infection in the early stages, so you won’t be aware of the issue. This is why you should hire experts if you suspect this type of problem.
6. Have you had any symptoms?
As you know, this infection can be very harmful to you and other people who live in the house. Since these symptoms include dry cough, watery eyes, a sore throat, runny nose, etc., people don’t pay too much attention thinking that they’ve got a cold. Nevertheless, if you notice that you feel better the moment you leave the house, the chances are that the mold is the cause. If you observe that other family members experience the same issue, it is time to do the inspection.
Finally, keep in mind that young kids and the elderly are more prone to these symptoms. It means that even if you don’t experience any of them, you should still pay close attention to your kids’ health and act accordingly. Naturally, the first thing you have to do if you confirm the presence of it is to leave the house and hire experts to clean everything thoroughly.
