Mold problems are caused by a variety of things that a homeowner can either see or are invisible and grow without even being aware. In either case, there are some signs to keep an eye out for, so you know when to get a professional mold remediation company involved.
Unusual Odors
When mold begins to eat away at any type of material, it elicits a gas called microbial volatile organic compound (MVOC). At first, it is odorless, but combine MVOC with moisture and you have a smell that is associated with mold growth. This is usually a musty smell that can happen in some of the following areas:
- Under carpets
- Heating and cooling systems
- Inside the walls
- Under wallpaper
These areas hide the mold, and when the spaces do not receive enough air to help to dissipate the mold compound it will produce the mold spores that lead to a more pungent odor each day until it is identified and taken care of before it becomes toxic.
Mold You Can See
In the very first stages of mold growth, there is rarely an odor that alerts someone to the signs of mold growth. Instead, there will be visual displays of small patches that appear to be spots of dirt that begin to appear on a wall or ceiling area. This is the beginning of a mold colony. It will initially look white and elongated like threads. As it grows, it will start to form clusters that are black, green, or grayish-green.
If you suspect mold growing behind any wallpaper, this takes on a different color due to the vinyl material as well as the wallpaper glue and will appear to be orange and even purple when you peel the wallpaper back and reveal it. This is a good time to consult with a professional to determine the extent of mold growth in your home.
Water Problems and Mold
These issues can either begin inside or outside your home and have different signs that you need to look for to determine if professional mold remediators should be consulted:
Water stains: You will see these on either the ceiling or floor of the inside of your home. They can be single spots scattered all over an area or a group of stains. This is usually the result of a deeper layer of origin for the mold.
Disfigured walls: This can either happen slowly without realizing the severity of it or it can happen all at once when the mold problem has caused a fissure in a protective layer in your home. This will appear to be a bubble or a bulge in a wall or ceiling. It can even first start as a simple crack in the wall, usually in a corner. Simple peeling of paint or wallpaper is also a sign of mold issues that have resulted in a bigger structural problem as well.
Water Leaks: Any of the following water issues could result in serious mold growth leading to it needing to be removed through professional mold remediation:
- Dripping pipes
- Flooding
- Roof leaks
- Attic holes
- Standing water in cellars or basements
- Rusted pipes
