7 Ways to Know if a Mold is Dangerous
What Are Molds?
Molds are considered to be extremely small elements that belong to the family of fungi. They can thrive in almost any surface especially in cellulose-based objects.
They are present almost everywhere. Though maybe harmful at times, molds are considered a big part of the ecological balance in the community; they play a major role in breaking down organic substances in the environment.
According to some recent studies, approximately 50 percent of homes are inflicted with unknown moisture dilemmas. And as we all know molds thrive best in moist places.
And to a large extent, all indoor mold growth is potentially harmful and should be removed promptly, no matter what types of mold are present or whether they can produce toxins. Awareness and sanitation should be observed to prevent the spread of molds in your homes.
Here are 7 ways to detect if your home has dangerous molds :
- Launch a search operation
- Use your sense of smell
- Is basement flooding one of your indoor problems?
- Windows mist over during winter
- Use home mold test kits
- Molds that are hidden
- Ask a Certified Mold Inspector
Check whether there is a visible signs of mold growth in your home. Molds are characterized by its cotton-like features that may appear in colors such as gray, white, black, or green.
They also bear a resemblance to furry materials that give the impression of stains or yellowing stuff. Usually they can be found from the outside of construction materials or home furniture.
Whenever you smell some mold odors, begin your search immediately. But you also have to remember that even if your home has no moldy smell it doesn’t mean that you’re already free from its threat.
Be sharp-eyed because some fragrance-free molds are still poisonous. Most of these kinds of molds grow in canals and in-between panels or dividing walls.
If yes, then there is a large probability that your house is filled with some dangerous molds. Rummage around for some indications of extra mustiness or water seepage.
Also check if there are water discolorations on walls and ceilings. Remember excess amount of moisture is the major culprit for mold exposure.
Winter season is characterized by coldness and generally when it’s cold, there is an excess in moisture. This excess amount of humidity in the environment can cause the growth of molds which cultivates the most in damp areas.
If this so happen, it is best to take precautionary measures to identify if there is really the presence of mold in the area. A house that is contaminated with molds is more susceptible to further health issues.
Mold testing is seldom used to find out any dangerous threats of molds. These do-it-yourself test kits are designed to track down the presence of harmful molds that can trigger serious health problems.
Most of these testing devices are user-friendly and can provide reliable results in that instant. However, most health experts do not recommend testing for mold.
They believe it is more reliable and practical to have visual inspections of molds in your homes.
Most experts agree that the most perilous mold is the one that is unseen. This type of molds can swell up frenziedly for we have no idea where they are.
But in most cases, hidden molds can be discerned not by the naked eye but by its stale odor or by frequent clearing of the throat.
In instances wherein you cannot really detect of there are molds inside your house, you can ask the assistance of licensed mold inspectors. They have the proper know-how in pinpointing the exact location of undetected mold problems.
All in all, the key to total prevention of the threats caused by mold problems is utmost awareness of the problem. Be vigilant with your surroundings for any sign of mold growth. Early prevention is the best solution to all the hazards set off by this microorganism.
Further Recommended Reading :
Joslyn from the MoldBlogger Team
We are renting a home and we feel like there is mold in about every room. I have been trying to find out how I can tell if this is dangerous to our family’s health and what I can and should do about it. In the only bathroom that has a tub/shower and the exhaust does not work and there is no window we seem to have major problems. The hot water leaks (not drips) in the tub really bad.
Esther Maher on September 28th, 2007What should we do about it??
HELP!!!!
We are renting a home that we feel has a mold problem. We are trying to find out if it is a dangerous nmold and what we need to do about it. There seems to be mold in almost every room of the house. In the only bathroom that has a tub/shower and no exhaust there is major problems. The hot water leaks (not drips) very badly and we just don’t know what to do or who to talk to here in Corbin, KY.
Esther Maher on September 28th, 2007Please help us out in whatever way you can.
Thank you so much.
I breathed in some mold… what do I do?
Irene on October 14th, 2007We live a house built in the 80’s. I am pregnant, so it’s harder to ignore the smell of mold. I am worried that this will be potentially harmful to my family. Would I be wasting my time with household kits? Should I call someone to come asap?
Kelly on October 15th, 2007thanks.
@Irene - Thanks for your question! I’ve posted a reply here: Dealing With Mold Exposure
-Joslyn from the MoldBlogger Team
Joslyn on October 23rd, 2007Kelly! Thank you for your question. I’ve posted a reply here : Does Mold Affect Pregnancy?
-Joslyn from the MoldBlogger Team
Joslyn on October 24th, 2007My son’s class put a pumpkin in a glass container with a thin layer of plastic wrap over the top (the plastic wrap is open on one side). This rotting pumpkin has been sitting in the classroom molding since the end of October. It just doesn’t seem like a healthy thing for the children (3 to 5 year-olds. Am I over reacting or is having a rotting pumpkin in the classroom a health hazard?
jen on March 1st, 2008Jen,
Mold exposure, even in small doses is never good for anyone to breathe - especially easily susceptible ages like younger children.
It’s definitely something I would address with the teacher as a concerned parent.
Are any of the children having symptoms like runny noses, frequent colds that can’t seem to ease or other physical complaints?
Ask the teacher what the purpose of leaving the pumpkin in the classroom is. Since the pumpkin has been there since October, I would submit that the experiment should be through. Your child’s teacher should have no objections the removal of a hazardous pumpkin.
Thank you for your question Jen and I hope everything goes well.
Best Wishes,
Joslyn from the MoldBlogger Team
Joslyn on March 3rd, 2008In my house we have put clorox on some mold that has been there for a while, there is a couple of spots on the carpet in one room and a little bit on the wall.
Megan on March 31st, 2008How do I know how much mold is too much to be around?
Megan -
Well, really any mold is too much mold to be around. Though you shouldn’t worry much as long as your exposure is not repetitive for long periods of time and you are not showing any signs or symptoms of mold exposure.
Most of your concerns should lie with the mold that cannot be seen. Moldy carpet especially is a miserable thing to have to contend with. Replacing the carpet will most likely be easier than trying to remove it and continually keep mold from coming back.
My advice would be to have a mold expert look at the place since a do it yourself kit will obviously show up positive for mold if you have visible growth.
Best case scenario, you only have topical mold growth in those few places
and they’re easy to remediate. Worst case, unseen mold is growing everywhere beneath your carpet and behind your walls. It would be best to have it checked out.
Also, I would recommend reading the following for your own personal mold remediation use. It could prove to be useful.
5 Levels of Mold Remediation
Thank you so much, and I wish you the best in your personal fight against mold!
Let me know if you have any more questions, or comment back with an update =]
Joslyn from the MoldBlogger team
Joslyn on March 31st, 2008I am a renter and have had a leak for over two weeks now. The property manager is aware of the situation, but has done nothing to fix the problem because they don’t want the bill under their name…. I now see black dots around the leaks. What do I do and how do I know if this is dangerous?
Mara on April 11th, 2008Mara,
Unfortunately this situation is more common than what most people realize.
Most property managers and landlords do not want to deal with situations involving leaks and mold.
Try talking to him or her again and explain that the leak is causing mold growth, and if not fixed immediately, the mold will continue to grow as will the expense to fix it. The amount it will cost to fix the leak is one thing; the expense to have mold remediation done is an entirely different matter.
Mold growth in homes that are not taken care of immediately, is potentially dangerous. The best thing for you to do until the leak can be fixed is to follow the procedures for level I in the following post :
5 Levels of Mold Remediation
Continue to do so until the leak is fixed. You can remove the mold and limit the exposure amount, but it will continue to grow back until the actual problem and cause, the leak, is taken care of.
Let me know if you have any more questions!
Joslyn from the MoldBlogger team
Joslyn on April 13th, 2008