Warning Signs Your Home is Infested With Mold
Posted in Mold, on November 18, 2020
From keeping your home temperatures regulated to taking a warm bath, everything that we need to feel comfortable indoors also supports mold growth. That's why mold inspection in Toronto is an excellent way to monitor and check for mold problems in your home.
Mold thrives in environments with stable temperatures and plenty of organic matter, like wood, textiles, or dust. But the magic ingredient for mold growth is water, which can be found all over the home as drips, condensation, or humidity - once exposed to water, dormant mold spores can begin to grow in as little as 48 hours.
What are the warning signs of mold growth in your home?
Physical Symptoms
Mold reproduces by creating small spores that are lifted into the air or travel around your home on clothes, shoes, or pets. These tiny spores are easily breathed in and settle on our skin, hair, eyes, or nose. Most people have allergic reactions to these spores, which cause inflammation and a variety of allergic reactions, like:
- Headaches
- Itchy, watery eyes
- Sneezing
- Cough or respiratory restriction
- Fatigue
If these symptoms sound a lot like the common cold or flu, you’re right - if you have a cold that just doesn’t seem to go away, it might be time for a mold test.
Air Quality Issues
When we’re doing mold testing in Toronto, other common air quality problems also appear on our tests, such as high indoor humidity, stagnant air, dust, allergens, and more. This is because homes with mold growth often have poor air circulation, so pollutants become trapped and recirculated. Humid air also becomes trapped, which gives it the opportunity to condense on surfaces and provide the moisture needed for a mold infestation to begin.
Visible Mold
If you see black (or green, or blue, or brown) stuff growing in your home, you might have a mold problem! Mold growth is often easy to spot when looked for, and can appear in a range of colours and textures. It’s often found underneath bathroom cupboards, behind large appliances, or near piping or drains. But visible mold growth is only half the problem - it also loves to grow out of sight or in hard to reach places, which is when our next sign might be your only clue…
Musty Smell
Mold has a very distinct musty odour. If you notice this smell but can’t see any visible mold growth, you may have a hidden infestation growing underneath the carpet or behind drywall. In this case, thorough mold testing can help determine the source of the odour.
Learn the Signs of Mold Growth
There are a number of clear signs and symptoms that mold growth is present - this is only four of the most common. For more information on mold inspections in Toronto and how your indoor air quality is affected by mold growth, get in touch with us - we’d be happy to tell you more about our modern air quality testing and how you can create a healthier and safer home environment. Call us at 416-414-5690.