Mold is one of the most invasive and silent killers in the world. It can infiltrate a property in a matter of months, endangering the stability of the building and the lives of the people who live or work on that property, from the very first day. One of the reasons that mold colonies can grow unchecked for months is because they often make their home in the dark and damp places in the building—the basements, inside the walls, and under carpet. While actually seeing the colony is the most definite way to be sure there is a mold problem in a building, there are also a number of other signs to look for.
1. Increased allergies. If you begin to experience increased allergy symptoms, you may actually be reacting to an increased number of mold spores in your environment. According to the CDC, sneezing, congestion, a burning sensation in the eyes, and a chronic runny nose are all symptomatic of mold in the air. In order to determine if these are caused by mold or by some other allergen, make note of how you feel at home, and how you feel when you leave. Do your allergies go away when you leave the house? If so, there is a high likelihood that there is mold growing in your home.
2. Moldy, musty odor. Mold has a very distinct smell, often reminiscent of old houses and damp wood. If you begin to smell something odd around your house, it might because a colony of mold has begun to grow in your walls. If the smell intensifies when you turn on the heater or cooling system, you can be fairly certain you have a problem.
3. Physical colonies. Some people often pass mold colonies off as dirt or even burn marks. The most dangerous kind of mold, commonly called black mold, can often look like a harmless patch of dirt on a basement wall. However, the splotchy, circular colonies should not be ignored.
Mold can take a serious toll on the lives of those living or working in the building. According to allergicliving.com, anyone with a compromised immune system, respiratory problem, or allergies can seriously suffer from the effects of mold growing inside a property. Even if you do not already have one of these problems, mold spores in the air can actually cause them.
Though our lungs are naturally designed to filter out mold spores, when there is a full-blown mold infestation, the concentration of spores may become so high that our bodies can no longer filter them out. When this occurs, the spores will begin to cause infections, respiratory problems, and in some people with weakened immune systems, even death.
If you suspect that you may have mold in your home, do not delay. Mold remediation requires professional experience, so call Brickley Environmental today.
About Brickley Environmental
Brickley Environmental creates safe-and-sound schools, homes, and buildings by designing and executing safe, cost-effective containment, abatement and removal solutions. We do it right the first time — making your profits predictable while supporting your ethical standards and reputation for excellence — and have served Southern California for over 30 years.