Did you know that health services can shut down or relocate a business if it has a mold problem? Mold can cause significant structural issues for a building if nobody destroys it.
Likewise, mold can cause several health problems when humans become exposed to it. Among other issues, mold can cause sneezing, runny noses, itchy eyes, etc. In severe cases, it can cause trouble for your respiratory system.
Mildew can also cause problems for your health. Unfortunately, these two substances often grow in tandem with one another.
But how can you know it's time for mold and mildew removal? These nine considerations can help you decide!
1. You House Sustained Water Damage
The first sign you may have mold problems is if your house sustained water damage. Water damage provides the ultimate breeding ground for mold spores.
Unfortunately, water damage can come from several places. You could have flooding or snowmelt in your basement or on your roof. Alternatively, you may have a pipe leak that's gone unnoticed.
It's best to play it safe if you notice water damage in your home. Contact a mold removal team to receive an assessment on whether your home has mold problems.
2. You Notice a Mold Smell
Mold and mildew have distinct smells. You've probably caught a whiff of these substances if you walked into an old, musty basement.
However, this distinct aroma is rarely overpowering. Usually, it's a faint smell that can become masked by other scents in your home. People can go months, sometimes years, without noticing this scent.
Nevertheless, mildew and mold remain dangerous. If you walk through your house and notice a strange smell, it's possible they're the source. Consider looking for this smell in your kitchen, bathroom, and other places with higher moisture levels.
3. You Can See the Mold
Once you spot mold or mildew in the house, you probably won't need any more convincing. At that point, it's clear your home needs mold or mildew removal.
The question is, what does mold look like? It turns out that this substance has a surprising number of variations.
In many cases, mold has a green or yellow hue. However, there are other types of mold colors, including black, brown, red, pink, and even blue.
In contrast, mildew usually has a gray, white, or light brown color. Its appearance often looks powdery, as though somebody threw it on your walls.
4. Household Humidity is High
Several regions of the US have humid climates. When the weather outside is humid, it often seeps into household structures.
The problem often becomes amplified if you have an inefficient HVAC system. If this system can't reduce your house's moisture levels, your interior becomes too humid.
These circumstances provide excellent breeding grounds for mold and mildew. So, if you have high humidity, contact a mold removal service to address the issue. Also, consider using a dehumidifier to prevent the problem from spreading further.
5. Ventilation Issues
Do you notice parts of your home don't ventilate as they should? Maybe the vents are closed, or perhaps there are things blocking the vents.
Spaces like these won't allow moisture to dissipate at a rapid rate. As such, moisture can begin to build in this area.
Once again, these environments often include high moisture levels. Bathrooms and kitchens are likely offenders, as well as basements. Bathrooms without fans or windows are especially likely to face this issue.
Once this space retains too much moisture, mold and mildew will likely follow. Removing mold often begins with providing adequate ventilation to your entire house.
6. Discoloration On Your Walls and Ceiling
We've talked about what visible mold looks like. However, sometimes mold isn't exposed to the naked eye. In many cases, mold and mildew grow behind walls.
When this happens, the discoloration is often faint. Its spores could be small enough to resemble dirt or grime. As we've mentioned before, the colors of these spots could vary.
Even the texture of the mold or mildew could change. Sometimes, these substances look fuzzy or slimy.
Contact professionals to examine your house if you see faint discoloration but can't tell what causes it. This option is safer than allowing the substance to spread.
7. Water Leaks
Extensive water damage isn't the only way water can cause mold to grow. Even small water leaks can provide a breeding ground for mildew or mold.
Have you ever had a leaky faucet that ran onto your counter? Over time, this space can become saturated with moisture. This saturation gives mold a foothold when entering your home.
Repairing a leak is usually the best way to fix this issue. However, if the leak has progressed for a long time, you may need a service to remove mold.
8. Health Issues
Do you notice that your household has experienced more illness lately? Maybe you've seen some of the following:
running nose
sneezing
watery eyes
chest constriction
increased asthma attacks
dry skin
These are often side effects of mold exposure. As such, have somebody inspect your house for mold. If it's growing in your home, that could explain these symptoms.
9. You've Had Mold Before
Many homeowners think removing mildew or mold will prevent it from growing again. However, these substances can return if the conditions that caused them to grow persist. Mold and mildew can also spread to parts of the house that are less noticeable.
These recurrences often affect households that tried to remove mold as a DIY project. Instead, it's best to call professionals. They have the experience and equipment necessary to remove these substances entirely.
Find the Mold and Mildew Removal Service You Need
As you can see, several signs indicate whether you need mold and mildew removal. If you experience one or more of these problems, hire professionals to solve the issue.
Fortunately, we provide the services you need! Our company specializes in disaster cleanup and removal of dangerous substances from homes.
We also offer 24/7 emergency chemical spill response live operators. So, contact us today for your bussiness clean up needs!