Beware of These Invisible Signs of Mold

Identifying signs of mold is not always as recognizable as the tell-tale dark patches, which often indicate later stages of a mold infestation. In today’s post, Graystone Restoration shines a light on some less-obvious indicators that your home may be harboring mold.

Unexplained Health Symptoms

Exposure to mold can lead to a range of health issues. Symptoms like chronic fatigue, headaches, coughs, colds or a general feeling of being unwell without a clear cause could be attributed to mold exposure — this is why a severely infested building is known as “sick building syndrome”. Persistent allergies outside of spring or fall can also be an indicator of the presence of mold.

Musty Odors

A persistent musty or damp smell in your home is another indicator of the presence of mold. The source is not as easy to locate because the spores tend to spread far and wide, even after they have passed their decay phase. However, the particulates produced by mold tend to linger in areas where there’s poor ventilation, which usually includes unfinished basements and attics, as well as in the gaps between walls.

Water Infiltration

If any part of your home has been infiltrated by water, whether it’s due to a roofing leak, flooding or a plumbing issue, chances are you have mold in the affected areas if proper water remediation is not done. Leaks in the plumbing are particularly difficult to address if the leak happens out of sight. Small leaks are more likely to cause mold growth, because small trickles of water provides just enough moisture to allow growth without being noticed until it’s too late. If you notice a noticeable spike in your water bill, schedule an appointment for leak detection.

Unusual Discoloration on Surfaces

The presence of mold is not always indicated by black spots. In some cases, it could just be a slight discoloration on walls, ceilings or floors that spreads slowly. They look very similar to water stains, and can be accompanied by the same symptoms like warping, blistering or delaminating, as well as peeling wallpaper. 

If you notice any of these signs, don’t risk the health of your household. Give our team at Graystone Restoration a call at (813) 931-1680, or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment.