4 Warning Signs You May Have Hidden Mold

Cleaning up after a disaster in your home or business can be a daunting task. Aside from the immediate concerns such as smoke, water, and structural damage, there’s another type of damage that can occur days or weeks after the initial incident if not mitigated properly. What type of damage? Hidden mold damage. While the chance of mold growth is significantly higher following a disaster, mold damage can occur in any home at any time.

What is mold, and how does it cause damage?

“Mold” is a general term that applies to fungal organisms that normally feed on moisture. In nature, there are over 100,000 different species of mold. Some thrive in outdoor environments while others have adapted to growing indoors. Most molds prefer dark, damp, and warm environments but mold can grow any time of year in a range of temperatures. Some molds pose a health hazard to humans and pets while others can cause structural damage by feeding on cellulose found in wood framing, weakening your home.

If you experience any of these warning signs below, contact a licensed mold testing company to determine if hidden mold is present in your home and if professional remediation is needed.

1.      Strange Odors

Because mold grows in areas with trapped moisture, it’s possible to smell a hidden mold problem before you see a mold problem. If you experience musty or mildewy odors in your home with no obvious cause, it may be an indication of trapped mold. Common areas include poorly ventilated bathrooms and kitchens, but mold can grow anywhere moisture is trapped. For example, a leak caused by backed up gutters or bad window seals can trap rainwater between the exterior and interior walls. Mold can also thrive during the off season in HVAC components, spreading spores throughout your home when turned on again next season.

2.      Spots on Walls or Ceilings

Slow leaks from drainpipes or rainstorms will often allow mold to grow long before the tell-tale sign of a leak appears on your wall or ceiling. Before soaking all the way through the sheetrock and causing a dark spot, the surrounding studs and joists can carry the water away from the point of origin, absorbing it and becoming saturated in the process. This trapped moisture can allow mold to grow long before any visible signs appear.

3.      Unexplained Health Issues

Sometimes mold stays hidden and does not cause any obvious odors or staining. Chronic conditions such as coughing, sneezing, headache, scratchy throat, congestion or a runny nose with no discernable cause or illness could be coming from hidden mold in your home or office. Depending on the type of mold, severe complications including organ failure, cancer and even death can occur.

4.      If you See Something, Say Something

The most obvious warning sign you may have hidden mold is if you see something that could be mold. There are other organisms that are often confused with mold and hide in plain sight, such as algae, lichen and mildew. Don’t turn a blind eye just because you assume it’s not mold or “it’s only a little bit of mold”. The only way to determine what you encountered is to order a mold test from a reputable mold testing company. Surface and air samples are taken and analyzed in a laboratory. The mold you see may only be the tip of a hidden iceberg. If the test confirms mold, act accordingly based on the result. It is very likely if you found a small area of growth, there could be a much larger colony behind the wall or under the floor. A mold remediation specialist like American Restoration Solutions will find and treat all affected areas.

Types of Mold

Despite the fact there are over 100,000 types of mold, if you uncover hidden mold in your home or office, it’s most likely only one of a handful of species. These are the most common harmful varieties to be aware of:

Stachybotrys, aka “black mold” or “toxic mold,” is one of the most dangerous types of mold and can cause flu-like symptoms, diarrhea, headaches, memory loss and severe respiratory damage. Children are at an even greater risk for health problems associated with exposure to black mold. As the nickname implies, black mold is a dark color, however it can also be grey or dark green. It typically has a very musty or mildewy odor and grows around very damp areas in homes and other buildings.

Chaetomium usually appears after a home suffers from large water damage. It thrives in wet, dark environments such as behind drywall, wallpaper, baseboards and under carpets. This type of mold is similar to black mold and sometimes even shares the same environments. Molds in the Chaetomium genus need moisture to grow, but they actively consume the cellulose in flooring, framing, paper, and clothing. In addition to the regular allergy symptoms, Chaetomium spores can also cause neurological damage and certain autoimmune diseases.

Aspergillus and Penicillium spores are abundant in the air that many of us breathe every day, but these molds can be dangerous to people with comprised immune systems. Exposure to aspergillus may cause allergic reactions, lung infections and a specific type of infection known as aspergillosis. It is commonly found in HVAC systems and on food. If trapped inside your home, Penicillium can cause asthmatic symptoms, bronchitis and other respiratory problems.

Fusarium is normally seen in plant debris and soil, although it can also be found in very damp areas of your home. It can also be found hiding underneath carpeting, inside drywall or foam insulation and in humidifier pans and HVAC systems. Although quite rare, a serious eye infection called fusarium keratitis can result from exposure to fusarium spores.

Cladosporium is a pepper-like mold that is usually black or green and grows on ceramic sinks or toilets, painted surfaces and fiberglass air ducts. While this mold is generally nontoxic to humans, it can still trigger common allergy symptoms, such as red and watery eyes, rashes and a sore throat. Some species of Cladosporium can even endure sub-freezing temperatures.

Poria Incrassata is an invasive mold that is not directly hazardous to health, but it feeds on the cellulose fibers in the wood framing and flooring in your home. Poria is significant hazard to your home. Poria needs constant access to moisture to continue growing and can send water up to 5 meters per hour from the source. Because it transfers moisture, it can quickly allow other molds to develop along side it that may pose health risks.

Mold Remediation

It cannot be said enough, if you experience any of the warning signs above or come into contact with hidden mold, reach out to a certified mold testing company ASAP. If your test comes back positive, trust American Restoration Solutions to quickly and professionally remediate the situation so you can get back to living a comfortable life. We’re New York State licensed and IICRC certified to tackle any size problem.