Detecting What Type of Mold is in Your Home

We live in a hot, humid climate where mold is bountiful! Unfortunately, for most of us, we aren’t educated on the ins and outs of mold remediation and what measures should be taken to get rid of it. It is important to note where mold typically grows and where you can look for it. If there is a place in your home that holds a lot of moisture, start there. Begin your hunt by checking in showers, sinks, windows, or anywhere you think you could have water damage. You should also take a peek near your roofing for any potential leaks that can lead to mold issues.

Do I Have Mold?

How do you know if you have mold in your home? Mold thrives in damp and dark environments. It can be found in ceilings, wood paneling, or anywhere you may have had flooding in the past. If you have not been the only owner of the home or if you rent, this is pertinent information for you to learn before moving in. Post-hurricane is also a very common time for mold to grow and spread without you even noticing.
If you have the smallest inkling that you may have mold in your home, it is wise to call a professional so that we can conduct a mold test. Although you may not be able to see it, you may start to notice yourself sneezing or coughing more than usual. It is a good idea to get it checked out if it is a possibility.

Warning Signs of Mold

Other than actually seeing the mold spores, there are some ways to detect if there is mold in your home. Have you been battling cold or flu-like symptoms for days or weeks, and it just isn’t going away? It isn’t out of the question that this could be due to the mold in your home. Some other health concerns that people have shown are:
Breathing and respiratory issues
Excessive headaches & migraines
Chronic nose bleeds and more severe symptoms.
Although these can be from several other illnesses, they can also be coming from a mold problem in your home.
You may also notice a very musty odor lingering in your home. That is usually very common where mold occurs. Not all molds smell the same, but that damp smell that comes with most is pretty apparent when this is an issue.

Different types of mold

There are a few different types of mold that can be present in your home. Allergenic, Pathogenic, and Toxigenic.

If the mold is allergenic, you may experience symptoms of coughing, sneezing, or a slight headache.
The most common type of allergenic mold is called Alternaria. This is likely to grow in your bathroom near your shower or sinks.
Pathogenic mold hits those harder who have acute illnesses. It has the potential to cause infections, even to those who do no thave major health issues.
Toxigenic is the most harmful type of mold that you can come across. These substances can lead to severe illness or even death if not handled promptly and accurately. “Stachybotrys” aka black mold is the most common type of toxigenic mold that you may find in your home. This type of mold loves to live in areas with high humidity. If you suspect this type of mold in your home in any capacity, it must be taken care of as soon as possible. It can cause serious health issues to those exposed to the mold.

Next Steps

You may have spent a few days or weeks playing detective in your home. As you look up and down your house, you may have good or bad luck actually finding the mold. The biggest mistake you could make is not visibly seeing it and choosing not to call a professional. So many situations involving mold are behind areas we do not usually see.
If you are having health issues or start spotting any mold in your home, it is crucial to seek assistance as soon as possible. Where one spot of mold lies, another could be growing as we speak. Most of the time, if there was flooding or water damage, there are going to be several spots where mold can grow. If you suspect that you may have any type of mold growing in your home, we recommend you give us a call as soon as possible!