Your property is vulnerable to many things, with a sudden flash flood, an unexpected fire, or inclement weather posing a bold and imminent threat to your home. While it is easy to identify an approaching fire or flood that is threatening to your home, there are some hidden hazards to your property that are rarely thought of and can often slip under the radar undetected. One of these hidden threats to the health and well-being of both your home and family is mold.

Mold can be an unsightly addition to your home, and it can compromise the health of the people and pets exposed to it. Segments of the wall or parts of your property that contain mold should be removed or repaired quickly in order to prevent further health issues.

However, detecting mold can be tricky. Oftentimes, mold can be hidden from sight, so it is important to be well-versed in the warning signs of mold in your home. Below are some of the key signs of mold to help you better detect mold growth early on so that you can hire mold remediation experts to quickly take care of it.

Women pluggin nose from mold smell
A moldy smell is a good sign that you have an issue

A Moldy Odor

Mold can often grow and flourish in areas that may not necessarily be visible. Since it commonly grows in dark places, mold can often hide behind furniture, wallpaper or in dark areas like cabinets and closets. This is why the first warning signs of mold are often a distinctive odor. Mold gives off a unique odor that is best compared to mildew. If you detect this scent in the house, it is a good first warning sign that mold may be present.

Mold Allergy Symptoms – The Health Issues of Mold

One of the best ways to detect hidden mold in your home is if you or someone else in your household is showing symptoms of mold allergies. Mold allergies are very common, and if there is a large amount of mold in your house, chances are that at least one person in your house will show allergy symptoms. 

Some of the most common mold allergy symptoms include coughing, sneezing, a sore throat, a stuffed or runny nose, headaches caused by your sinuses, difficulty breathing, itchy eyes, and irritated skin. If someone in your household is exhibiting these symptoms while indoors, it may be mold allergies.

One potential obstacle is if you or someone else in your house already deals with allergies on a regular basis, then how can you differentiate whether the allergy symptoms are caused by mold or some other allergen, such as pollen or animal dander? One of the best ways to tell is to go outside and take note of your symptoms. If your symptoms are worse in your home than they are outdoors, it is possible you have mold in the home. 

In some extreme cases, mold can be highly dangerous and toxic. If that is the case, it can cause more drastic symptoms such as bleeding, organ damage, cancer, cognitive impairment, and even death. 

Small Mold Patches

Another way that mold can be detected is by sight. This may seem obvious, but it’s possible to see mold growth and assume that it is just dirt or something less serious. Mold can have a variety of different appearances, from white stringy mold to black, spotty mold. Mold can vary in color, as you may find different types of mold that are grayish-green, black, white, orange, pink, purple, or grayish-brown. Noticing those small, dark splotches is the first step to getting rid of unsightly and dangerous mold.

Man looking at potential Mold signs
Walls, carpet, and flooring, can often grow mold without your knowledge.

Signs of Water Damage, Leaks, or Past Flooding

If you are looking for mold, the first place to check is in damp areas where it could grow. This includes under sinks, near plumbing, in the garage, in a cellar, near the shower, and other areas where moisture is often present.

You also want to check for any water stains in the home, which can include bubbling or peeling paint and areas in which you see visible discoloration. Areas with water stains or water leaks are especially vulnerable to mold. Finally, if you have recently experienced serious water damage to your home, it is essential to continually check that area for mold. Water and moisture is a breeding ground for mold, so identifying and checking moist areas is an essential part of keeping your home safe from mold. 

Mold Removal and Restoration Services in San Diego

If any of these warning signs of mold become apparent in your home or property, it’s time to think about mold restoration. It is essential to move fast and remove any and all signs of mold in your house, or you may be putting you and your family at risk. 

When removing mold, you should only trust an expert. At Certified Restoration, we have over 25 years of experience removing mold from homes throughout San Diego. Our goal is to work as efficiently and effectively as possible, allowing you to quickly resume your normal everyday life in a house that is free of mold. Our goal is to have your property restored and you breathing easy in no time.