How to Know If Mold Has Made Its Way Into Your Home
If you’ve been a victim of recent flooding or have a leakage problem in your home, you could be susceptible to mold. Here are some ways to tell if mold has infiltrated your home:
A musty smell
If mold is hidden away in your house somewhere, a moldy smell might be your only clue. Don’t ignore the odor just because you can’t see the mold, as the problem may get worse.
A patch of ‘dirt’
You might mistake mold for soot or grime, so carefully inspect the ‘dirt.’ Even a small patch of mold should be handled right away before it spreads; or it could be a sign of a larger, hidden area of mold somewhere else.
An odd discoloration
You might overlook a discolored area as something harmless when it's actually mold. Some mold can appear white and thread-like; other variations can be gray-brown or gray-green. Mold that grows behind wallpaper made of vinyl can even be orange, pink or purple.
Chronic water issues
If you have recurring leakage problems in your home, there’s a good chance you have mold. So if you have water stains on walls, floors or ceilings, or bubbling, peeling or cracking paint, be sure to check for mold.
Use a mold test kit to accurately check for mold or call in a professional if you’re unsure. Mold can cause a range of health issues from mild to serious, so be sure to treat it expediently.
Reprinted with permission from RISMedia. ©2018. All rights reserved.
*In South Florida -particularly Miami and Fort Lauderdale, the Air Conditioning Handler when housed inside a closet could be hiding a slow dripping problem, condensation or overflow where piping may be clogged. Periodically check these areas. Any real estate related questions? Call Marina Sarabia or Kathleen Costanzo at 954-914-8060.
