What Does Mold In the Home Look Like? An FAQ for New Home Owners

Mold is a topic that can cause anxiety for homeowners. For new homeowners, knowing what mold looks like, where it comes from, and what can be done about it can help them take care of their property.

What Does Mold Look Like in the Home?

Mold in the home can be black, gray, green, brown or yellow. Often, it grows in round patches that cluster together on the walls, floors and ceilings. Mold is most commonly found in parts of the home where moisture is present, like the bathroom and the kitchen. However, mold can be found anywhere where there is moisture.

Where Does Mold Come From?

Mold grows because of excess moisture in the home, which can be caused by many things. Some of the most common causes of mold growth include:

• Plumbing leaks can cause walls, floors and ceilings to become waterlogged, leading to mold growth over days, months, or years.
• Roof leaks frequently result in mold growth in the area in and around the leak.
• Condensation, which can occur because of poor ventilation, can cause mold to grow in humid parts of the house.

If a homeowner isn't sure why the mold is occurring, consider the location of the mold. What's happening around the site? Are there pipes running behind the walls? Is there a gutter leak on the other side of the wall? Does the growth of mold occur at times of year when there is excessive precipitation? These clues can help homeowners determine the cause.

What Can Be Done About Mold in the Home?

The first thing Torrance homeowners should do when mold begins to grow in the home is discover the source of the leak or moisture. Remediation of mold is all for nothing if the cause of the leak has not been addressed. Once the homeowner has determined the source of the mold, they should get their home repaired.

Once the homeowner has fixed the problem, then they can try to get rid of the mold. For patches smaller than 9 square feet, homeowners can clean the mold themselves. Scrub the mold with detergent and water, then allow it to dry completely.

If the mold covers a larger area of the house, contact a mold remediation expert. It's important to work with a contractor who has experience successfully removing mold from home interiors. Check references and credentials to ensure that the contractor is up to the task of removing mold.

What Health Hazards are Created By Mold?

Reaction to mold exposure can vary from one person to the next. For some, mold causes asthma attacks. For others, mold can cause skin, eye and throat irritation. People who are exposed to mold may develop symptoms right away, or over a long period of time. If a homeowner lives in a home with mold, it's critical to have the mold removed as soon as possible.

How Can Mold Affect Property Values?

Mold can devalue a home if it is not properly removed. In fact, one home in Kansas was devalued by approximately 53 percent because of a serious, active mold infestation. If the home has a mold infestation and the homeowner would like to sell, have the mold cleaned up by a reputable company before listing the property. If the homeowner can't afford mold remediation, talk to a real estate professional. They can help homeowners determine the best way to market their home to buyers.

Posted by Greg Geilman on Tuesday, February 20th, 2018 at 12:04pm

https://www.southbayresidential.com/blog/what-does-mold-in-the-home-look-like-an-faq-for-new-home-owners.html

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