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How To Test For Mold In Your House

It is important to find mold in your home before it causes major issues. Finding out you have mold can be shock, but most homes have mold without the inhabitants even knowing it is there. If the health of your family and the condition of your home is important to you, be sure to pay attention to the warning signs of mold in your home.

Since some types of mold (black mold - Stachybotrys chartarum) produce mycotoxins, it can cause serious health issues in people, particularly those who suffer from lung conditions or allergies. However, even less toxic common molds may cause reactions in some people, which means that is is very important to remove mold as soon as possible.

How Do I Know There's Mold in My Home?

There are several signs that you may have mold in your home. Here's what you should look out for:

Visible Mold

Mold may be visible in your bathtub or in the shower. It usually turns black, unlike soap scum. Mold takes hold in damp areas, so it is important to look for it wherever dampness collects. In hidden areas, such as the cellar or basement, you may need to look a little further.

Strange Smells

Oftentimes, mold is confined in a single area in a home, so you may smell it whenever you're in that area. Try not to inhale it, as it poses a health risk. When you smell the unpleasant odor of mold, but you see no signs, it may well be in the walls, or perhaps behind wallpaper.

Persistent Health Issues

Mold usually starts by attacking the respiratory system. If your eyes are watering, you feel congested, tired or coughing, those are all signs of mold in the home. If your health issues are caused by mold, you may well feel better when you're not home.

How to Detect Mold

Living in a home with visible mold, or a mold odor, is very uncomfortable. Small amounts of mold won't cause serious health problems, but it should be treated regardless. Larger spots of mold can cause serious issues in people with allergies, as it may cause breathing problems, in which case it would be wise to find a temporary alternative living arrangement. It is best to attack the mold right away and to be proactive in fighting future outbreaks.

If you suspect that you have a mold problem, you need to check all the moist areas in your home. Just because you can't find mold, doesn't mean that you don't have any. Some manufacturers sell mold test kits, that are reasonably accurate.

You may have to call in a professional to investigate your home and treat the issue. Mold spreads very quickly, and can lead to major financial implications when it causes damage to your property.

Anta Plumbing can help with detecting and treating mold, so don’t wait around - call the guys you can trust today.

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Written by Anta

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