It's easy for mold to pop up and affect your family. Learn more about the top signs of mold and find out if the mold in your home is toxic. Plus, see common ways to prevent mold growth!
When spores and moisture meet, your household has a good chance of harboring some toxic mold that can make you sick. But since mold can easily go undetected, how can you be sure that mold is an issue? Here's how to tell if your house is toxic and what you can do about it.
Mold isn't all bad. For homeowners, the appearance of mold raises alarms and warrants a call to local mold removal experts. However, mold on its own is a crucial part of the environment's ecosystem.
Mold breaks down organic material in the environment, like leaves and dead trees. But mold can invade your life. Along with debris and electrical problems, toxic mold is a flooded house hazard.
When homeowners get a sneaking suspicion that mold is lurking in the basement or even in their ventilation system, it's a cause for concern.
Not all mold is toxic. However, some forms of mold, called 'black mold,' causes serious health issues and can hamper an entire household's quality of life.
Also known as Stachybotrys chartarum, this toxic mold produces mycotoxins, which cause health problems.
However, not all mold produces mycotoxins. In short, cases of mold growth in the home vary from house to house. Each environment is unique, and the severity of mold growth isn't uniform. However, just because not all mold is toxic doesn't mean you can ignore it.
With toxic mold, there are some key signs that it has made its way into your home. It's time to examine the most common signs of mold growth in your home.
People with asthma are susceptible to mycotoxins produced by toxic mold, causing severe breathing problems.
"In 2004, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) found there was sufficient evidence to link indoor exposure to mold with upper respiratory tract symptoms, cough, and wheeze in otherwise healthy people...[and] asthma symptoms in people with asthma..."
Exposure to mold causes people to feel sick and causes lung conditions to flare up. If you suspect your asthma worsens or is more severe than usual, contact your doctor or medical professional.
When there's a bad smell in the home, you can tell.
If you and your family smell a musty odor in areas of the home, there's a good chance that mold is the source.
Especially if your air conditioning unit or central air has mold, since these appliances circulate and blast cool air into a home. Making sure they're clean is crucial to keeping your family safe. When you're not using an air conditioner, what remains? A warm, dark environment for mold to thrive. The next time you break out your A/C unit for the summer heat, you may be greeted with mold growth.
In that case, replacing that air conditioning unit is a good idea. Be sure to check your A/C unit for damage and mold growth. If it's a window unit, it's often a good idea to replace it.
Depending on your circumstances, you'll want to call mold remediation experts to help you, especially if it's a larger, more expensive unit.
You can put on gloves, going the DIY route. But we highly recommend leaving it to the professionals to ensure you don't spread the mold or get sick. The important thing is to immediately contact experts when you suspect your home's air conditioner or central air has mold inside.
Everything in your home experiences natural wear and tear.
However, if you're regularly seeing peeling wallpaper, mold is possible. After all, the peeling or bubbling wallpaper signals the sign of moisture, especially after extensive water damage in your home.
For example, if you have a pesky leak in the ceiling dripping water, you'll see that moisture affecting that area. Likewise, moisture and mold can show up as spots on your walls.
If you see dark spots on the wall in your home, it can be a sign of mold and water damage. If you see spots on the wall in your home, see if there is a leak. If there is, carefully examine the source. If it's a sudden emergency water leak, call a plumber as soon as possible to mitigate water damage and mold growth.
Have a runny nose that won't stop? A coughing fit or bouts of wheezing? Surprise, toxic mold causes significant health problems.
As we discussed, those with asthma are adversely affected by mold spores in the air. However, toxic mold can make even run-of-the-mill seasonal allergies worse. After all, the study by the IOM found that otherwise healthy people still suffered the effects of mold exposure.
It doesn't help that typical mold exposure symptoms align with common allergy symptoms. That's another reason why toxic mold is so dangerous.
Whether it's watering eyes, itchy skin, or trouble breathing, monitoring your allergies and if they subside is an excellent place to start.
Again, if you suspect your allergies are worse than usual, especially with asthma, get in touch with your doctor.
The most obvious sign is the presence of visible mold growth. Check areas prone to moisture, such as bathrooms, basements, and around windows. Mold can appear in various colors, including black, green, or white. Mold growth can appear as unsightly patches on walls, ceilings, or even within HVAC systems.
In the Inland Empire, these issues are not uncommon. High humidity in areas like Riverside can exacerbate mold problems, making it crucial for local residents to be vigilant.
If your home has a history of water damage from floods, leaks, or burst pipes in Murrieta and Riverside, there's a higher risk of mold growth. Even if the visible damage was repaired, mold may still lurk behind walls or hidden areas. The Inland Empire is no stranger to weather-related water damage in Riverside and Murrieta.
Rains or plumbing issues can lead to Murrieta water damage, creating conditions favorable for mold growth. If your home has had past water damage, it's essential to remain vigilant for mold issues, especially in concealed areas.
First and foremost, you can't paint over mold. That's a mold myth that we debunked. To stop mold growth is all about moisture. Specifically, humidity. Some mold growth prevention tips:
However, let's say these measures didn't work, and now you need the mold gone. It's time to call on Murrieta mold removal experts at Five Star Restoration.
Murrieta mold removal experts at Five Star Restoration know mold and all its signs. If you suspect mold in your home, don't hesitate to call Five Star Restoration to receive a diagnostic to detect any potential mold growth.
The Five Star Restoration team serving the Inland Empire can even repair and reconstruct heavily damaged parts of your home after water damage.
Avoid health problems, bad smells, and excessive cleaning costs of replacing damaged areas in your home.
Starting in 2016, Five Star Restoration prides itself on its ties to the Inland Empire and Northern San Diego communities. Five Star Restoration in Murrieta offers unparalleled customer service, knowledge of mold removal, and essential information on how to keep your family safe.
For more information about how Five Star Restoration can help remove mold in your home, call 951-368-2227.
Mold can manifest as visible patches on walls, ceilings, or other surfaces. It may also produce a musty odor. Health symptoms like allergies, coughing, or skin irritation could indicate mold presence.
Identifying mold types typically requires professional testing in Murrieta. Mold can vary in appearance and toxicity, so it's crucial to consult experts for accurate identification and mold remediation in the Inland Empire.
Yes, mold can grow in dry climates if any moisture sources exist. Even in the Inland Empire's semi-arid climate, areas like bathrooms or around leaky pipes can be susceptible to mold growth.
If you find mold in your Inland Empire home, it's essential to address it promptly. Consult local mold remediation experts who understand the unique challenges of our region's climate and building structures.
Some DIY methods, like vinegar or hydrogen peroxide, can be effective for small, surface-level mold issues. However, for extensive or hidden mold problems, professional remediation is recommended.
To prevent mold growth, ensure proper ventilation, control humidity levels, fix leaks promptly, and maintain a dry environment. Regular inspections are essential, especially in regions like the Inland Empire, where climate conditions can vary.
Mold can pose health risks, especially for individuals with allergies or respiratory conditions. Prolonged exposure to certain molds can lead to health issues. If you suspect mold in your home, it's best to address it promptly to safeguard your health.
If you are not sure your location is in the areas we cover, or if you'd just like to chat or ask a question, give us a call.
We are committed to an excellent finished product and even better customer service. Rest assured that when we show up for your restoration needs, you'll be informed, confident and stress-free.
