Every house has a unique smell, and that strongly reflects who lives in it and the quality of their everyday life. If you smell something and you don’t know where it’s coming from, you may have molds. But what is mold? And how can you tell if you have a mold problem?
What Are Molds
Molds are living organisms that grow on dead organic material. It reproduces by sending out spores that disperse and then finds new decaying material to colonize and feed on. These colonies of mold are often called mold infestations or mold colonies. When mold takes hold of your home, it can develop on walls, ceilings, floors, and even insulation in your attic or crawl space. Sometimes mold can even grow on items that aren’t organic, like clothing. Mold is especially common in hot, humid weather and in places that aren’t used often.
What Does Mold Smell Like
Mold has a really distinct smell that you can’t miss. It’s a musty, earthy odor, often compared to the smell of a damp basement. It can be a little pungent, so you might not notice it until you become familiar with the smell. Different kinds of mold have different smells. If you don’t recognize the smell and aren’t sure if it’s mold, there are a few other signs to look for as well.
How Can You Detect Mold in Your Home
Some common symptoms of mold include:
- A musty smell
- A strong odor that lingers
- Colored spots on walls, floors, or ceilings
- Discoloration or stains on your clothing
- Black mold, which can look like a fuzzy coating on surfaces
- Damp, soggy patches on your walls or ceilings
- Discoloration of wood that looks like wood rot, typically greenish or black
Aside from these symptoms, you can detect its presence by having your air quality tested. With a professional and certified inspection and mold testing company, they have the tools and the knowledge to identify where the mold is and what kind of mold you’re dealing with.
What Should I Do if I Think I Have Mold in My House
If you think you have a mold infestation in your house, the first thing you should do is try and determine the source of the mold. If you can find the source of the mold, you can do some basic cleanup to remove it. The main thing to remember is that mold doesn’t just stay in one spot. Mold spores can spread via air or water in the home, so it’s important to remove and clean up all the mold colonies you can find. Wearing gloves and a respirator, start with a visual inspection in your home. Look at the walls, ceiling, and other surfaces of your home. You might be able to see the colonies of mold that have formed, either as a color change or an actual colony.
Seek the Help of Professional Mold Remediation Teams
If you find mold in your home, you should call mold remediation professionals right away. If left alone, mold can grow and spread, causing health issues like allergies, asthma, and infections. Mold can also cause damage to your house, such as peeling paint, warped floors and doors, and fungus, which is especially harmful if you have a baby or young child. And, of course, mold can smell really bad and make living in your home unbearable.
Mold remediation companies will come in and make an assessment of your home, letting you know what they’ll need to do to eliminate the molds and prevent them from returning.
Conclusion
Mold is a common problem that many homeowners face. It is difficult to detect and even more difficult to remove. If you suspect that you have a mold infestation in your home, contact a mold remediation company immediately. They will assess the problem and work with you to create a solution for removing and preventing mold from coming back.
Environmental Mold LLC offers commercial and residential mold remediation services in California. Let us help you with all your mold removal needs. Contact us today for more information.