Identifying Mould Growth in Your Home

Everyone should feel safe when living in their own home, but there can sometimes be something very dangerous lurking in the walls or under the sink. Mould can be detrimental to the health of people living in a home if it goes unnoticed, so homeowners need to educate themselves in order to catch it before it can do any harm. It is also almost impossible to sell a home with a mould problem. Here are some of the signs of mould in a home that homeowners can look for and some of the health hazards it can cause if left to grow.

Where Does Mould Grow?

The problem with finding mould in a house is that it usually grows in places that aren’t highly visible. However, one thing that attracts mould like a magnet is standing water and other forms of moisture. If there are leaky water pipes, they could become a breeding ground for mould. Homeowners should check their pipes regularly to ensure there aren’t any leaks and reduce the risk of mould growth. This also goes for moist basements and crawlspaces. If a homeowner wants to remove moisture from their home, they can buy a dehumidifier and run it regularly.

What Does Mould Look Like?

Mould can be tricky to identify by sight because it can take on many different appearances that can appear just to be mundane messes. Some of the different appearances that mould can take on are:

• Threads
• Sugar 
• Salt
• Dirt
• Soot
• Dust

If a homeowner sees what looks like dirt or a spill in an area that wouldn’t normally see dirt or spills, it could very well be mould in disguise, and the homeowner should keep an eye out. If the dirt returns after being cleaned, there’s a chance that it may be mould.

Mould can also take on a number of different colors aside from just the black people are used to seeing on old shower curtains. It can also be white, gray, brown, or even green so it’s possible that it can blend in with its surroundings and be difficult to spot.

What causes mould to appear

Condensation is the biggest reason why mould appears in our homes. Condensation is actually a natural reaction when the temperature of the surface is cooler than the temperature of the air. When the air touches the surface, a mist constructed from small drops of water appears on it. If left unattended, the condensation turns to mould over time. Leaky pipes, roof leaks and any general flooding in the house can also lead to mould growth, so regular property inspections are a must. High humidity is also a common problem that causes mould. Humidity is caused by various reasons – it may be specific for the region you live in, weather conditions can trigger it, as well as a damaged ventilation system, rainy periods and many others. The proper home ventilation is important when it comes to battling mould – make sure the ventilation system is working properly and is being tended to on a regular basis.

How Can Mould Affect Your Health?

Extended exposure to mould can be extremely dangerous due to the health risks it possesses, and it can be difficult to tell if someone is being affected because many of the early symptoms can mimic seasonal allergies. Some of the other symptoms and diseases caused by exposure to mould include:

• Congestion
• Coughing and sneezing
• Sore throat
• Eye and skin irritation
• Headaches
• Liver failure
• Miscarriages
• Asthma 
• Immune deficiency
• Lung disease

If a homeowner suspects mould in their home or finds evidence of it, they need to have it taken care of as quickly as possible to prevent these sorts of health problems from affecting them.

What Can Be Done About Mould?

If a Cranston homeowner finds mould in their home, the first thing they should do is test it. Not all forms of mould are life-threatening, and it can take a lot of stress away if the homeowner can find out the type of mould in their home. Most hardware stores will carry a mould testing kit that can often be purchased for less than $20. After using the kit and determining if the home has mould and the type of mould it is, the homeowner can then call a professional who can work on removing the mould from the home.

Mould in a home is a threat that should always be taken seriously. Keeping these things in mind can help homeowners locate mould before it can grow out of control and get it removed before it can harm anyone in the home.