Mold growth isn’t something any homeowner wants to see. If there are visible signs, there is no question you have mold. However, mold isn’t always obvious. It can grow beneath the carpet, in the drywall, on basement walls, under the cabinets, and in the attic. Mold in the home can cause property damage and health-related issues. Hire a professional to perform a test at the first signs of mold growth in your home.
Symptoms Due to Mold in the Home
You may feel as though you have a cold or seasonal allergies. Symptoms of a mold allergy can include dizziness, difficulty breathing, runny nose, sneezing, and headaches. Seasonal allergies may not be to blame.
If you have mold in your home, you might notice your health improves when you leave the house. Spending time outdoors or away from home helps you feel better when the cause of your symptoms is in your home.
What Leads to Mold Growth
Mold needs moisture to grow and thrives in damp areas of your home, like bathrooms and the basement. This moisture can also lead to cracked or bubbling paint, a musty smell, warped floorboards, and condensation on windows or walls. Plumbing leaks, basement flooding, or roof damage can cause moisture intrusion that leads to mold growth.
Preventing Mold in the Home
To keep a healthy and safe home, take some preventive steps to discourage mold growth. You’ll want to tackle the problems that make a optimal environment for mold to thrive. Here are some ways to stop mold from growing in your home.
- Repair plumbing leaks as soon as you find them. The leaking pipe under the bathroom sink may seem minor, but the water creates the right conditions for mold growth.
- Don’t over-water your houseplants. Research online to learn proper care and watering for each of your houseplants.
- Clean spills. Even a small glass of water can contribute to mold growth if it’s spilled on your hardwoods or carpeting. The water will seep into the subfloor and mold may form.
- Use a dehumidifier. Ideally, the humidity level in a home should be between 50 and 60%. In high humidity rooms, install a dehumidifier and use the machine to manage the moisture in the air.
- Turn on the ventilation fan in the bathroom when you shower or bathe to cycle moist air out of the home.
- Use your ventilation fan in the kitchen when cooking.
Managing moisture and humidity goes a long way towards preventing mold growth in your home.
Danny Inspections offers home inspections to customers in the Chicago Metro area. If you’re buying or selling a home, contact us to schedule an appointment.