Here’s an interesting statistic – about 70% of homes have some type of mold.
While mold is a natural part of the environment vital in the decomposition process, it is a menace when found indoors. Not only is it unsightly, but it can be toxic. It often makes your home feel damp, causing adverse health problems like allergies and respiratory problems.
You will often find mold most in places where moisture is present, such as basements, bathrooms, or around doors and windows. But sometimes mold isn’t always visible and it can be hard to recognize when to can call a mold remediation specialist.
If you feel like your house has a mold issue, here is a list of the most common signs to help you know when to call a mold remediation specialist.
Table of Contents
1. Musty Odors
Notice strange smells in your home?
As a homeowner, you want your home to smell fresh and clean. This is why you can go the extra mile to invest in air fresheners to create a lovely aroma.
But if you start noticing a musty scent in certain areas of your home, you may have a mold problem. In case the smell worsens when your furnace or air conditioning is running, you may have a mold problem within your HVAC system.
You should call a mold detection and remediation specialist as soon as you notice a damp smell that won’t go away.
2. Excess Moisture
Moisture leads to the growth of mold. If your humidity is above 60percent, it produces moisture and makes your home a mold-friendly environment. When you notice condensation on windows, rotten wood, or rusty pipes, your home may have excess moisture.
The air in your home can also feel humid and dank. You should take note of excess moisture in your home, and contact a mold removal company as soon as possible.
3. Experiencing Health Symptoms
The worst signs of mold are when it affects your loved ones. Several health problems can arise due to the presence of mold in your home. If mold is left untreated for too long, you and your loved ones can experience health issues like:
- Allergy symptoms
- Nosebleeds
- Asthma reaction
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Inflammation
- Sore throat
- Pneumonia
- Digestive problems
- Moodiness
The health conditions may be severe if you or your loved one suffers from respiratory issues. In case you start experiencing any of these symptoms, you should get in touch with a certified mold remediation specialist.
4. Flooding or Any Water Damage
The presence of water in your home does not necessarily mean you have mold. But since mold spores are tiny, water damage is a trigger that causes mold. This means you’ll find mold thriving in humid areas of your home.
Whenever you notice a water leak, you risk creating a habitat for mold. In case you have flooding, you can call a mold restoration company to deal with mold hidden even in the most difficult to reach places.
Other signs of water damage like flaking, peeling wallpaper, bubbling, and cracks in the paint can also be an indicator to get in touch with property damage restoration services.
5. Discoloration
Another sign of mold growth is discoloration. It can occur even when the walls of your home are painted. Discoloration can also happen when the damage is done from within because the mold will still be visible on your wall’s surface.
You should be careful since mold appears in various shades like black, gray, white, or green. If you have vinyl wallpaper, mold will look orange, pink, or purple in appearance. Whether it’s on drywall paper or food, you will notice discoloration over time after colonization.
How to Find a Trusted Mold Remediation Specialist
When you discover mold is growing in your home, you need to take immediate action and contact a mold remediation specialist. But with numerous mold remediation services out there, it can be difficult to find the right company for the job.
Here are some tips to help you find a certified mold remediation specialist.
Ask About Experience and Qualifications
When hiring a mold remediation specialist, you want someone who knows how to do their job. You can ask about their training, certifications, and qualifications.
Some certifications you should look for include mold removal and remediation and water damage restoration. This will ensure that the people working to remove the mold in your home are experts. You should also look at their experience. It’ll give you peace of mind when they work on your property.
Check for Insurance and License
For your home mold remediation, you should choose a company with a license. It’s an indicator that they have the training and follow the national standards of practice.
You should also ask for insurance. It’ll protect your home from damage during the mold remediation process. The insurance will also protect the contractors in case they face injuries in your home.
Get Recommendations and Read Reviews
Getting a recommendation from your friends and family can be effective when looking for a professional mold remediation specialist. They can attest to their expertise.
You can also look at reviews available online. A great source to get customer reviews is the company’s website or social media profiles like Facebook.
Up-Front Estimates
Before contracting a mold remediation specialist, you should ensure to get a written estimate for the services you require. From the labor costs to materials used, you can get quotes from several mold remediation companies and compare prices. It allows you to pick services that are within your budget.
Keep Your Property Free From Mold
Need to control mold growth? When it comes to mold, it’s better to prevent it before it gets out of hand. It’s also very cost-effective.
But if you have mold in your home, you’ll need to get in touch with a mold remediation specialist immediately. They’ll come in to inspect your home, contain the mold, and perform mold cleaning.
Even with hard-to-reach areas mold, the mold remediation professional will nip the mold growth before it gets out of hand. Read more of our articles to find more about how you can improve your home.
