Categories Mold Remediation

How To Find Hidden Mold

Water damage and possible mold growth near the baseboards.

If you can smell an unpleasant earth odor in your house, there’s a chance you might find mold hidden somewhere. In many cases, you may find mold easily when it is visible, but when it is growing in your attic or under a wooden floor, you can only smell its odor.

Mold is common when there are leakages in your home. If you believe you might have this problem, it’s best to find experts to conduct a black mold test.

Common Places to Check During Mold Removal 

As you prepare your home for mold removal, it’s best if you become aware of the familiar places they would grow. These include:

Basement

Not much activity occurs in a basement, and the absence of natural light creates a suitable environment for mold. If you have any pipes passing in your basement, there is a chance you will find mold in case of leakage.

Ceilings

Like the basement, the ceiling is mostly dumpy. Any leakages from your roof could create an environment for mold to prosper. Since you rarely check your ceiling, you may only be aware of mold once you smell that earthy odor.

Air Ducts

You might not think there are chances, but it’s possible mold could grow in your air ducts. If you rarely clean your air ducts, there is a chance the dust and moisture caught inside could be a home for mold.

Behind Furniture

You shouldn’t be surprised if the experts found mold behind the furniture during the mold treatment. Most furniture has its back resting on the living room walls. If your living room is humid, it is possible mold will find a home behind this furniture.

Wall Cavities

You might not take cracks seriously, but they could host mold. They provide dark and humid zones for the growth of mold. Always check under your kitchen sink or bathroom walls for cracks. These are notorious areas when it comes to a “mold infestation.”

If you suspect molds in your home, it would be best to contact professionals. Clean Air Xperts can conduct a quick and effective mold treatment and odor removal.

How to Test for Mold in Your House

If you speak to experts from Clean Air Xperts, you will learn that the first step to mold treatment is testing. You will need to know the type of mold in your home and the severity of the growth.

Despite mold causing an unpleasant smell, it could be a cause of allergies or expensive repairs. It is for such reasons that successful mold remediation becomes necessary. A mold inspection is the fastest way to know the kind of mold and how far they have reached in your home.

Attempting mold remediation by yourself might save you some money, but it won’t guarantee you got rid of the problem. Alternately, a professional will remedy the problem and find the cause.

For example, they may locate the source of moisture leaking into your home. They will then make the necessary water damage while they remove the molds.

If you want immediate mold removal and your home’s fresh air restored, you may need to check the areas named above regularly. Any earthy odors could be an indication of a mold presence. At this point, it would be best to contact Clean Air Xperts.

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Categories Mold Types

Mold Types and the Health Issues They Cause

Old house with mold along all four walls.

Molds spores are usually very tiny particles that float on air, and they can enter your house through an opened window, vent, or doorway. When they fall on a damp, warm surface, they grow rapidly. A leaky roof, damp wood, and condensation from cooking and showering are some of the most common causes of mold growth in a house. Inhaling mold spores in large quantities can cause adverse health effects. But, you can minimize the effects if you seek the right mold treatment approach. Discover more about mold exposure below.

Types of Harmful Molds

Molds can either be allergenic, pathogenic, or toxigenic. The allergenic molds trigger allergic reactions. When Toxigenic molds enter your body, they release mycotoxins that cause severe health issues. On the other hand, pathogenic molds cause infection in people with compromised immunity. They include:

• Alternaria: You can find these molds under the leaky sink, on rotten wood, and on bird nests.

• Aspergillus: They grow on building materials, food, dust, soil, and plant matter.

• Penicillium: Penicillium grows on damp surfaces and decaying organic matter.

• Cladosporium: This mold type grows on fabrics, plants, and wooden surfaces.

Health Effects of Molds

Molds produce irritants, so touching them or inhaling the spores can cause allergic symptoms like:

• Coughing

• Wheezing

• Red eyes

• Skin rash

Exposure to molds also triggers asthmatic attacks in people with asthma. As molds grow, more spore fragments and organic compounds get into the indoor air, increasing particulate matter volume. These contaminants may cause breathing problems.

Breathing in aspergillus spores causes aspergillosis. Certain pulmonary conditions cause cavities formation in the lungs. If such a person breathes in aspergillus spores, they accumulate in the cavity, causing aspergilloma. The condition starts with a mild cough but worsens with time. This infection can spread to the brain, kidneys, and heart when left untreated, resulting in invasive aspergillosis. Aspergillosis causes chest pains, skin lesions, fever, and headaches.

Aspergillus may also invade your nose, causing a stuffy nose and headaches. Prolonged exposure to molds may also cause:

• Poor mental health

• Memory loss

• Chronic rhinosinusitis

• Bronchitis

• Hypersensitivity pneumonitis

• Constant Fatigue

The Right Mold Removal Approach

Although you can kill molds using a bleach mold cleaner, the most effective strategy is hiring a professional. Mold treatment requires skills, proper tools, and experience. Clean Air Xperts technicians use HEPA air scrubbers, vacuums, and dehumidifiers for proper mold remediation. Since molds are health hazards, cleaning requires proper gear like gloves, high filtration face masks, and respirators.

If you deal with the molds yourself, there is a higher risk of spreading the spores, which causes problem reoccurrence. Although molds appear on your house surfaces, they result from a larger underlying problem. A professional will clear off the molds effectively and address the root problem. They may recommend fixing water leaks, installing exhaust fans in your kitchen or bathroom, or installing a dehumidifier to control moisture and prevent mold growth.

Common signs of mold growth include damp smell, warped walls, tarnished tiles, stains on upholstery, and persistent cough. If you notice any of these signs, call a reputable mold removal company in Boynton Beach, FL, immediately before the problem escalates into more significant issues.

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