It sounds simple: “I’m looking for mold, so that’s all I need to find.” But finding mold isn’t just about looking in a corner and spotting mold growth. It’s about finding the signs of growth, seeking out their source, and looking for possible future problems. So what should you be looking for?
Musty Smells
Mold spores carried in the air fill a room with a strong, musty odor. Enclosed and poorly ventilated areas are especially susceptible to this. In fact, that ‘scent of rain’ that many people enjoy after a rainstorm is actually caused by airborne mold spores and dust spread through the atmosphere by rainfall. High concentrations of this released by mold growth and mildew in your home generate an earthy-musty odor in rooms. When you walk into a room or turn on the ventilation, if the air smells musty, take some time to search the room for signs of mold.
Look in cabinets and under furniture for mold growth. Mold can also hide inside ventilation systems so it’s a good idea to shine a flashlight into the vents and look for signs of mold growth. This is especially true if the smell only arises when the fan is running.
Watch for Water Damage
Keep an eye out around your home for signs of water intrusion. Bubbling wallpaper and warped boards are clear signs of wood damage from water leaks. Puddles and drips from air conditioners, burst pipes, and leaky roofs are clear signs of water intrusion. If there’s been a recent rainstorm, examine any places where water has pooled around your home. When water pools near the foundation, it can start leaking into the foundation and eventually work its way into basements and cellars. Of course, water stains on carpet, ceilings, and walls can all hint at possible places where you’ll find mold.
If water has found its way into your home and you can’t account for it, look around the site of the damage. You may need to pull up carpet or peel back damaged wallpaper but there’s a better than average chance you have mold hiding in those spaces.
Listen for Drips
This is a little less obvious, but if you hear water dripping take notice. Not only is dripping water a good way to lose money every month (leaks and drips can add up to hundreds of dollars each year) it’s also a prime way to feed mold and mildew growth. Always find the source of any drips you can hear and keep an eye on them while you’re waiting to have them fixed.
Honestly, the best times to search for mold are after heavy rainstorms and extended stays away from home. If you’ve been absent for more than two weeks, it won’t hurt to look around your house and check around appliances. Refrigerators, freezers, washers, air conditioners, and water heaters are all prime real estate for leaks and condensation spills. A power loss can lead to excess condensation as temperatures balance out, leading to dripping water that you missed while you were gone. It’s better to take a look around and catch mold growth while it’s still small.
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