Mold Warning Signs: How to Tell if You Have a Mold Problem

JoslynMarch 25, 201611123360 views

Find mold before it becomes a major mold problem

Mold is dangerous. It reproduces quickly, and once mold spores get into the air, they can be difficult to remove. Knowing this makes it quite disheartening when a homeowner finds a mold problem in the home they live in.

Discovering that you have mold within your home can cause you to feel a strange gamut of emotions. You might initially feel disgusted, frustrated or you may even feel a sense of being overwhelmed. Placing your home up for sale might be the first thing that pops into your mind, but that should be a last resort. Having a mold problem does not mean that you cannot get your house back.

However, it does mean that you must take immediate action. Many people actually live in a home with mold and never realize it is there. They ignore the warning signs until the problem reaches a point where the mold is taking over and affecting their health.

If you can find mold BEFORE it becomes a major problem, the remediation process will be substantially cheaper and easier to complete. There are warning signs that can alert homeowners to a potential problem. If you notice any of these warning signs, take the necessary actions to inspect and remediate.

Warning Signs of a Mold Problem:

It is so important to be aware of what the signs are that you may be sharing your home with more than just your family. Signs that you may have mold include (but are not limited to):

A strange odor

Mold has a pungent smell. When it is confined to one area of your home, you may notice an unpleasant odor when you are in that area. Mold can sometimes live within the walls or behind wallpaper, and so you might not immediately associate the smell with a mold problem. If you do notice an unusual persistent odor in your home, the culprit may be mold. The best way to determine if the smell is coming from a mold is to hire a certified mold inspector to come by and check it out. He will be able to run tests to determine if you have a mold problem in your home.

The appearance of mold

In your shower stall or bathtub, it is easy to distinguish normal soap scum from mold. However, in the basement or cellar, you may have to investigate a little further to find the mold. Mold will take hold of damp areas, so if you have a wall or floor where dampness collects, mold could very well be there as well. It can hide in corners or dark areas all over your home. Virtually no area is immune.

While not all mold can be easily seen, a quick inspection of your home may alert you to visible signs that you have a mold problem. Schedule periodic visual inspections of your house – especially in susceptible areas and during susceptible times of the year. The quicker a mold problem can be identified, the better for everyone involved.

A known moisture source

If your house recently flooded, your roof recently developed a leak or you know you have a source of water ingress into your home, then you know you have a potential for a future mold problem. Even if you aren’t sure what the source of moisture is, once you discover that you have moisture, you should take this as a warning sign of a future potential mold problem. Identifying and fixing the moisture source is key to preventing or stopping the growth of mold in your home.

Health symptoms

Because mold is not always visible, it can be difficult realizing that you do indeed have a mold problem. If you feel listless, congested and experience watering eyes while in your home, these can all be signs of the presence of mold. It is not uncommon for a person who lives in a home that has mold to feel better while at work or out shopping. Their health problems begin the moment they step through their front door. Mold can often be the cause of this.

Be cognizant of your symptoms. What do you feel? When do the symptoms get worse? Are others around you feeling something similar? Can you narrow it down?

Do You Have a Mold Problem?

If you do suspect that you may have a mold problem, you’ll need to put on your investigator hat and get to work right away. Mold can become a serious issue very quickly so you won’t want to waste any time.

Check all moist areas of your home first (think basement, attic and other areas you do not frequently visit). Check baseboards and ceilings of your home in addition to walls. Pay special attention to windows, doors and other seals to the outside. Walk the outer perimeter of your home checking for signs of water intrusion. If it is safe to do so, inspect your roof. If that doesn’t turn up any visible mold, consider calling in a professional to perform a thorough inspection of your entire home. A professional inspection will bring peace of mind as well. Mold can be a sneaky beast.

One of the questions that may pop into your head when you suspect mold is whether you need to get out right away. Mold can be quite dangerous to your health. If you know you have a mold problem, it can be difficult to stay in a home where the mold is causing an odor or is visible. While a small amount of mold will most likely not cause any health concerns, you should always do what makes you most comfortable. Putting your family and yourself in jeopardy isn’t an option. If you do suffer from allergies or someone in the home is showing symptoms of mold illness or allergy, it might be wise to find a temporary place to stay until the mold problem is addressed. If you are in doubt, ask your mold remediation professional whether or not you should vacate the home until the mold problem is fully remediated. Many people choose to stay with friends or family or stay temporarily in a hotel while the mold is remediated.

The most important takeaway is that once you suspect a potential mold problem (no matter how small), you do something about it and take action right away. Ignoring the warning signs that you may have mold only prolongs the problems you will experience. Be aggressive in locating the source of the mold and addressing it. After all, nothing is more important than your health and the health of your family. Mold can become a serious issue very quickly if left untreated.

Further Recommended Reading :

111 comments

News: Mold Grows in a Health Care Facility - The Mold Blog November 9, 2007 - 2:02 pm

[...] Warning Signs to Tell if You Have a Mold Problem [...]

Moisture & The Conditions for Mold Growth - The Mold Blog November 9, 2007 - 6:07 pm

[...] Warning Signs: How to Tell if You Have a Mold Problem [...]

Brandnew November 10, 2007 - 8:02 am

I completed a swab test kit from IMS Laboratory on a ceiling tile in an endoscopy department and the lab results showed too numerous to count Acremonium sp., Alternaria sp., Aspergillus sp., Cladosporium sp. and Epicoccum ingrum. How big of a concern should this be. My understanding of the report is that these are common molds found everywhere outside. Should these molds be showing up in a health care facility, endoscopy clinic?

Joslyn November 11, 2007 - 7:00 am

Thank you for your question Brandnew! I've posted a reply here : Q&A: Mold in an Endoscopy Clinic Joslyn from the MoldBlogger Team

rehabclean September 7, 2009 - 5:18 pm

I'm looking to buy a home. many homes are fully rehabbed. how can i tell if there is mold in there on walls since it is now replaced covered up with paint and floor is covered with tile?

michelle October 22, 2009 - 12:24 pm

hello, My name is Michelle and I have had a Nasal culture of Alternaria back in the summer of 08. From A Ears Nose and throat doctor. It is been a nightmare for me. This doctor did not observe the problem and my health has declined. I had a Mold Apartment with pictures and on my body. I don't know if you can help me but I did move but have no help from doctors, I had 3 weeks of a inhaler antibotic and that was all, there is still streptococcus and Pseudomonas in my nasal passage and my body is still itching after my rash that I had all over my body due to the mold. I am happy to talk to anyone about my issue, I am happy to go to the media how there must be a time when a doctor observes there are issues. And not crazy, for more information about my story and if you can help me I live in LA CA e-mail address is michelle_skin@yahoo.com Thank You, Michelle

dan sauereman March 28, 2010 - 5:55 am

i have a condo with black mold inside. can i legally post a sign on my front door describing i have toxic mold?? thank you

Emily July 1, 2010 - 9:22 am

Black mold has been found in my apartment building in a number of units, including mine. If I move to a new apartment and take my belongings with me (e.g. bed, couch, wood furniture, clothing) will moving those items bring the mold with me? None of the items mentioned have any visible signs of mold, smell bad, or were near the wall with the mold problem. Any advice would be appreciated.

Ryan August 25, 2010 - 4:29 pm

I just moved into a house which is built like a log cabin (completely out of hardwood). Everytime it rains or is damp outside all the floors get very damp (both 1st and 2nd floors). My friends have been telling me that this is mold but I would like to know for sure. Is this a common sign of a mold problem? Thanks, Ryan McCabe

Ryan August 25, 2010 - 4:31 pm

Karen November 17, 2010 - 2:39 pm

Hi, i have a question about mould being visible on white/cream leather seats and same coloured seatbelts in a car. If the seat belts or upholstery is of a darkish colour mould/mildew usually shows up as white patches or you will see black spots etc: But would you see the mould on the above as it is light in colour, and usually you have to hold things at certain angles to see that mottled mould effect! Please can you advise???? Many thanks.

Amanda December 5, 2010 - 10:34 am

Hello, i noticed some mold in the bathroom closet. I assumed something was leaking behind and it was. I got that fixed(twice. Then i noticed mold later on but, there is no leaks. My husband thinks the because the weather changed we have a small portion of the slab exposure(due to dirt settling around the house) that the air is getting in and mixing with moisture from the inside between the closet and the asset panel of the tub. We noticed today where the drain is, that its open. There was a piece of cement there but nothing is covering it. I don't think it should be open like that. Could this be the cause of our problem? we want to get to work, IMMEDIATELY!!!!

Kelly December 29, 2010 - 10:41 pm

In response to Michelle, I am going through the exact same thing. I too have a rash all over my body. I recently noticed it after the heavy rains these last couple weeks. My roomate thinks I'm crazy because hes not experiencing the same or any of my symptoms. This rash is so irrating. I notice it the most after taking a shower. I truly believe we have major mold problems in the walls and deffinitely in the bathrooms. Please email me with any more comments or anything you have to say. I know I should go see a doctor but I think the best solution would be to get someone in here for a mold inspection. take care, Kelly

roxannreese March 26, 2011 - 8:35 pm

where can I get a swab test kit for mold in my home?

Crystal April 16, 2011 - 4:31 pm

My husband has a home that a friend of his has more or less given to him to fix up. It has had roof leaks for at least more than 2 years and has been vacant for at least 2 years or more, I believe it has been several years. My husband wants to move into this home, I personally fear mold is in the home because of the vacancy and the roof leak. Can you tell me if a roof leak and being vacant are factors that would lead to mold more than likely, please respond. I have a chronic cough and hoarseness that has lasted for months now since, working on the home with him last summer

gus diiorio April 22, 2011 - 8:36 am

Can you tell me if the mold i have growing in my basement is bad mold. and how to get rid of it. It is a white powdery . I spayed water and bleach on it and seams to work for a while. But grow back a sort time later. Its growing on the foundation wall.

Debbie June 11, 2011 - 3:18 am

I live in a Hotel/Inn 1 bedroom. 1st night we stayed here it rained real bad and we found out we had a major problem when the ceiling started to swell up in this are. It looked like a pimple that needed to be popped or that was gonna explode. Luckly it didn't but the owner called out the roofers but still to this day we also are dealing with these nat's, little slow fly's that never will go away. We are very clean people and have nothing inside that would be attracting them. Is this a sign of mold in the walls and ceilings from all the leaks over the years? please help if you know anything. deb484u@yahoo.com

jay June 25, 2011 - 11:04 pm

I live in a basement apartment. 6 months ago i noticed black spots on my beige carpet. At the time I thought it was probably just dirt and didnt look into it. After a while there were more spots, and i started to get sinus headaches. I didnt think much of that either as I am allergic to dust, and being a brand new basement I assumed it had a large amount of dust from the construction. However more black spots started popping up in places that could not have been from dirt. I had a mold specialist come to check it out, and the carpet picked up to check the floor . He said that the concrete is impressively dry and that he did not see any mold on the bottom of the carpet. I had the carpet cleaned anyway. It is now 6 weeks after I had it cleaned and the spots came back with even more. My wife who is not allergic to anything started complaining of dizziness and headaches .How can i fix this ? and how can I tell if this is because of mold or their is a different problem? What may that be? Thank you for your expert advice.

Gillian July 27, 2011 - 6:27 pm

Hi For 2 weeks I've been smelling something which kind of smells like baby sick in my flat. (That's the best way I can describe the smell). I've now started smelling it on my freshly washed clothes. No children are ever in my house never mind babies. I typed it into google and this is the first website which came up. Could I have mold in my house? I'm really worried now! Please help! Thanks.

Lori Tondini July 27, 2011 - 9:05 pm

Gillian- is the smell coming from the washer? Many times, washers can develope mold, esp those new front loader ones. You need to leave the door open, not shut. Try running the washing machine on full load, hot water, as long a cycle as you have and add a half bottle of ammonia and some baking soda and see if that helps. If the odor is coming from other places inside the home, do some investigating-follow your nose--and make sure no dead rodents under furniture or anything, like a dead mouse...or food left in unlikely places. (If you have kids this is a great possibility-I once found a gross and disgusting what-used-to-be-an-orange in my kids' toybox years ago, and the rule was "food eaten in the kitchen only!" someone sure broke that rule at least once!

Karen August 14, 2011 - 8:12 am

We are considering the purchase of an older home. Signs of mold are present around the baseboards and some of the wood panels are warped in the finished basement. The basement was dry when we saw the house shortly after record rains in the area. The current owner is not interested in removing the old wood paneling. Should we forget this house in fear of opening Pandora's box? If we continue looking at other old houses with more recently finished basements, what signs of water/mold should we look for?

Jonathan August 14, 2011 - 10:13 pm

Karen, if the home is of high enough interest to you I suggest having a mold inspection added in as a part of the negotiations and have any decisions you make be based on the results of the inspection. To your second question, my only suggestion at the moment is what you're probably already doing - keeping asking lots of questions, use your sense of smell, and look closely and carefully for areas where mold might be hiding.

Lori Tondini August 14, 2011 - 10:46 pm

I would be very leary...If the paneling is warped, that is a sign of extensive moisture back behind the walls. The basement may have been dry after a recent rain, but signs of water intrusion are evident inthe paneling. You did not say if the baseboard was down in the basement or up in living area? If it is UPSTAIRS, that could be a sign that mold contamination is not contained only to the basement area, and has spread throughout the living quarters also. I would ask why the home is for sale, and see if you can speak with previous tenants to see if anyone suffered any type of illness. If you are real keen on buying the house, ie, ideal location, etc...then I would definitely get QUALITY mold inspection and testing, which would reveal how hazardous the situation is and also how contaminated the home is. I personally would keep looking!

inge bondi September 21, 2011 - 10:32 am

I have a large cedar closet. Over 15 yeasrs there has never been any mold in it. Now I find that some of the clothes have white mold. What can I do to prevent further mold in the future. Non poisonous method would be good.

E STREATER September 22, 2011 - 10:58 am

iS IT A MOLD PROBLEM IF TOILET (THE HOLES IN WHICH THE WATER RUNS INTO THE BOWL) HAVE BLACK PARTICLES. tHE PARTICLES CLOGS THE HOLES AND LEAVE A RESIDUE IN THE BOWL. IT REQUIRES CONSTANT CLEANING.

rose November 22, 2011 - 8:22 pm

We just moved into an apartment and one of the bedrooms has a smell to it , it smells moist and that won't go away we have opened all the windows and aired it out and its fine but when we close it up the smell comes back. Could it be because of mold? We checked and there is no moist area and no leaks. Is there any other way we can check and see if it is mold without having to call a professional?

Freida Mae January 5, 2012 - 1:16 pm

I just moved into an apartment that has horrible mold...my fault for not really seeing the severity prior to moving. Can I request the landlord to repair this? The mold is in the shower caulk and particles (black little specs) fall when the water is shut off or turned on the shower. I'm very concerned but feeling ignorant for having litterally only lived there a week. I don't smell much because they just polished the hardwood floors and it is still pretty strong. They don't seem to care too much about other issues so I am worried this will not be a concern and would like to know if it is legally possibly an obligation. Thanks!

Brandi January 8, 2012 - 9:50 pm

We recently started renting and older home that had been vacant for years. I have been having many of the symptoms assosciated with mold exposure such as headaches, extreme fatigue, dizziness, and so on. I have a toddler, who thankfully, has had no symptoms. I discovered black mold under the tiles in our bathroom. Is it possible that mold in the bathroom only could cause such severe symptoms? I am fearing that there is more mold in our house unseen. We rent from a family member and a mold inspector just isn't in the budget at this time.

Amy April 1, 2012 - 9:40 pm

Hello. I'm interesting in finding out more about a vacant house that is owned by someone very far away but has been severely neglected (paint is peeling everywhere)& a back door appears to have been left open for god knows how long!I do not visually notice mold but wondered if this situation for a rehab/renovation would be a big no-no due to these signs?

karen June 14, 2012 - 1:11 pm

I found stains of mildew (mold?) on some clothes in my closet. The closet wall is connected to the shower stall wall. I don't see any water or dampness on closet floor or wall. Can it be just that I need to recaulk around the shower stall? What should be my first step? Do I need a mold inspection? Thanks.

susan raftery June 21, 2012 - 11:21 am

@gus diiorio on April 22nd, 2011 the white powdery mold on your basement floor may just be a cement compound raising up from the foundation of the house you are in. i thought it was mold, too and treated the same way you did only to find out it was just an old time mixture used for foundations. hope this helped.

Kelly October 1, 2012 - 12:59 pm

I moved into an apartment just over 7 months ago and the carpet looked great when we moved in. Over time old spots from previous tenants started showing up, which I know is common if the carpet isn't replaced. However, along with those substantial spots are little black spots as well. Should I be concerned about mold, as I have a baby and a toddler in the apartment with me.

Charles January 31, 2013 - 5:06 am

A musty odor is indicative of a mold problem. High levels of moisture may be the culprit.

how to reupholster a chair April 16, 2013 - 11:35 pm

This would be a fun sofa slip cover project for a dorm room because you have al of your friend sign the couch slip cover. You may notice that I did not mention removing the old fabric before putting on the new. If you're looking for ways to keep your staff motivated, why not consider an office makeover.

kelli June 20, 2013 - 1:49 am

wow, i have lived in my apartment for over a year now and everything is finally making sense. I first moved in and got sick, i thought i was just fighting a cold. then a few times i was out having drinks and broke out in this horrible rash. I've never had a rash before. i realized black mold began to come through the wall above the shower tiles and brown mold on the ceiling. I am now suffering from intense suicidal depression, my lungs wheeze, my thryoid has been throbbing. I'm stressed as i am out of work but still put in my 30 day notice today in hopes it will all work out fine. Regardless, id rather sleep in my car than here. anyways, my main concern are three things. Can i keep all my clothes and bedding? And also, i have a dog and cat, are they going to be okay? and lastly, am i going to be okay? I appreciate any advice i am having the worst anxiety right now. oh and also my ears have been leaking fluid... not sure if anyone else has this sympton?

BrianReeves June 21, 2013 - 2:55 pm

Very sorry to hear about your situation. I would recommend reading "Are You Moldy?: The True Story of a Very Moldy Person" by Lori Tondini for your situation. It is possible to recover from toxic mold exposure. As for your clothes and bedding, if you want to keep them you will want to thoroughly clean them to avoid transferring the contamination. This article may help you get started with that. From what I understand, toxic mold can cause health concerns in animals. Removing yourself and the pets from the toxic mold is the most important step. Hopefully you and your animals will soon be on the road to recovery!

Mike Loshe June 28, 2013 - 10:52 am

Thanks for the share. When it comes to mold I would highly advise you to just call a mold repair service. After Hurricane Sandy I tried to remove the mold in my house and ended up getting extremely sick, take it from me just call a professional.

Dolly July 15, 2013 - 6:27 am

Can mole come up your vents if it in your basement ?

Harold Hyams August 19, 2013 - 12:48 pm

There is a lot of information going around about mold but one can generally handle it by following the KISS principle(keep it simple stupid). If you can see the mold and it appears to occupy a sizeable space[or perhaps a sizeable space containing more mold than is visible is behind the small visible mold and/or you can smell it, and you find yourself newly fatigued or with new or aggravated respiratory symptoms-- then you should check the situation out more fully and attempt to remove the source of the mold ( usually a leak) and the existing visible mold. The worlds' scientific experts are not as concerned with the mold counts or lack thereof as they are with the visible and smell character since those are the two best signs of mold contamination. Where there is mold, there is usually also bacteria and other sources of affects on inhabitants. The scientists for years were pulling out their hair in trying to create dose/response measurements for mold and gave up on it because much of what causes irritation or antibody reaction is not even measured in ordinary mold testing. Harold Hyams Attorney

melinda kline October 17, 2013 - 2:46 pm

I Hhave been haveing terrible breathing problems.My nose is running my chest feels awful. We have a basement thats half mud half cement. Have had many rain problems with basement. I AM SO WORN OUT .hOW DO I FIND OUT IF THIS IS THE PROBLEM?

Laura November 20, 2013 - 3:23 am

Hi Our 2 kids have been sick w/unknown issues, mostly gi for about a year. Drs don't know. Had house mold tested. The air test came back and said there was "extremely elevated levels of Chaetomium which can be potentially toxigenic". This is alarming and we don't know what to do. The company that did the visual also found some pencillium aspergillus growing on a piece of furniture in the basement (had a water leak down there and it has been fixed for about 3 years.) Other than that, there was no visible mold. I am trying to get an honest answer from someone knowledgeable. I have heard many stories about companies that also do remdediation often things. I have not yet spoken with the company - was just notified. I am wondering where the mold could be coming from? How will they know if their inspector did not see anything? Any info is so helpful! Thank You Laura

Brian Fleck January 6, 2014 - 12:19 pm

My wife and I just got done cleaning that contracted mildew. I do not see any signs of mold on the walls or floors and the room the sofa is in has skylights, one wall is sliding glass doors, and one wall is open into a well lit foyer. There is one corner of the foyer that seems to have a faint mildew smell, but no signs of mold. How can I determine if there is an issue?? Thanks, Brian

Mel January 19, 2014 - 11:04 pm

We have just bought a house where the cold room''s ceiling is black. The whole thing is black. The ceiling appears to be chipboard or compressed wood of some kind. The house inspector called it mildew and told us verbally just to make sure that window is always open a little down there and to wear a mask and clean it with detergent and water. But in his report, he said to bring in a specialist. Now I don't know what to do.

Marge Wheeler January 26, 2014 - 4:50 pm

I am a sufferer of Black toxic mold. I have suffered for many years of this terrible fungi growing in the condo that I rented from a slum lord here in Anchorage, Alaska. This epidemic of toxic mold growing/infestation in the bathroom was growing in the bathroom and in the kitchen. You could smell it and even though I brought it to the landlord's attention, he did nothing about it. Leaks upon leaks occurred but the landlord through bubble gum, shoe string and glue remedy did not resolve the problem. A professional was not called in to resolve the problme until too late. The damage has already been done. I am have been to ER 6 many times in the past year for not being able to breathe. This last time the the nurses worked on me for 8 hours to get me to breathing. I am having to go to get allergy tested to see if I have mold growing inside my body. My neck broke out in a itchy rash, black streaks appeared on my neck, blistery looking, two black spots appeared on my tongue, certain foods that I eat makes my tongue very dry and irritated and sore throat and nasal congestion, yellow spitum secreted from my mouth and when I blow my nose it is someties yellow. Congestion when I awake everyday. My health went from energetic to fatigued all the time. I am not used to feeling like this. Not to mention that I had to move out into a hotel, because of this terrible mold. I have furniture, a couch that is made out of porous fabric, when I have the movers move me, can I take the couch with me? Or do I have to get rid of it? I don't want to take these terrible mold spores with me to my new place of residence or even to the storage unit (which is where everything that I own will go before the first of the next month.) I don't have a lot but I would like to know if I have to give up the couch, clothing items they may be affected by the mold spores that are still present in the unit. This landlord is really a slum lord and has not business having rental property. They should be in jail for what they have done to me. I always paid my rent and even took it to him, all the way up until I could not because of being sick with the affects of this toxic mold. Please let me know. Thank you.

Karissa February 5, 2014 - 9:30 pm

Hi Laura! I have the same problem with my 3 year old. GI problems. Stomach pain on and off but X-ray is fine and lab work ok. Constant illnesses and ait tested positive for mold - 3 diff kinds. Email me pls! Would love to get your advice! faith@karissak.com

Tiffany April 8, 2014 - 4:53 am

I have severe mold allergies and recently moved into a new apartment with my family. We were unable to see the unit before moving because of it being through a housing program. Therefore I was unable to detect an allergic reaction to my apartment until I moved in. Now that I moved in I have had severe complications with my mold allergies. I cannot see any mold as I have checked the entire home. What do I do? I am barely getting back on my feet with 5 kids and evrryone is starting to get sick like me. But I cant find the source. Please help asap.

BrianReeves April 8, 2014 - 7:56 am

Hi Tiffany, Check out this article on Toxic Mold Litigation, specifically the section on Landlord Liability. Hopefully it helps get you started!

BrianReeves April 8, 2014 - 9:59 am

You could also get mold test kits (online or from Home Depot), or have a professional come in and test the air for mold. Sometimes the mold is not visible and could be hiding in walls or in the air conditioning.

Matthew April 26, 2014 - 9:18 pm

I have a rash, bumps, and itching all over my body! I now believe it is from mold! The doctors I have seen keep telling me "It's dry skin, because it's winter, the dry air and very low humidity from the heating system in the house!" BULL!! I did not have dry skin way back in June 2013 this all started! I have tried Moisturizing for 2 weeks straight, 5 different times and that has not helped!! I have tried anti-itch creams and they have not helped either, I have even tried ani-fungal lotions/creams and that has not helped either!! I have even tried taking 2-10 mg loratadine tablets daily to help with the itch and ease the rash, under doctors advice, but that has not helped!! For those who have asked about is it safe to remove clothing and bedding from a house with mold in it? I have read and seen on TV programs that it depends on the type of mold and how much mold is present. With Some mold types, the clothing and bedding can be safely removed from the house and then be washed removing the mold. But in other instances you would have to use a special detergent to safely remove the mold depending on the type of mold. But depending on the type of mold, especially with the more toxic kind it is recommended that you do not remove the clothing, bedding or anything from the home or wash them, because it would only spread the mold spores!! Those items that are exposed to toxic mold will most like have to be disposed of! But before you do anything make you check with a reputable Mold remediation company to check to see if you have mold and what type of mold you have and then to remove it properly! Also do not forget to check references!!

Peter April 29, 2014 - 6:47 am

I was concerned with some mould build up in my bathroom and I was offered a free survey from a ventilation vendor called envirovent. As it turned out it was just a minor issue and there was no real reason to panic! The main reason was that my windows was stuck closed so once that was fixed the mould never appeared again!

ect treatments May 21, 2014 - 12:11 am

That is a very good tip particularly to tose new tto the blogosphere. Simple but verry accurate information… Thanks for sharinjg this one. A must read article!

Beth July 25, 2014 - 2:00 pm

I noticed black spots in just one side of my kitchen sink the other day and I don't know much about black mold besides it's very dangerous. The light above it is always on (idk if that makes a difference). Please help

LaDonna I found mold under my sink pipes are linking i never went under there because i don't keep any thing under ther July 31, 2014 - 5:35 pm

I want to get out of here I never lived in a home where there was mold d molds under my sink I just found the problem it time to clean it up on my own can I .

Elizabeth Dorris August 18, 2014 - 10:32 am

I rented a house floor was wood, landlord said he was putting tile or carpet, I got a rash all over my arms, chest, stomach, had a triple bypass in 2010 have other health problems landlord knew all this the mold is going up from floors and now from ceiling All over my bins I have important things that can not be replaced but my dog is really sick and me as well what or who do I contact to help me?

Paj Lo August 22, 2014 - 11:18 pm

I live in a basement apartment that has flooded 3 times in the 3 years we've lived here. Every single time it flooded all the manager did was have the maintenance guy come over with a water vacuum and suck up the water and than bright over a big fan too dry the areas that flooded. I have 3 children that live here too and now I'm starting to see alot of little whitish bugs on my phone when it's charging on the ground and all over my vacuum cleaner after looking up on the net it's possible they may be mold mites how can I check to see if my apartment has mold without hiring a professional?

Brian Schnoor September 2, 2014 - 1:13 pm

There was heavy thunderstorm one night and the next morning one of my stairs in my apartment,which is a basement type, had a very bad heavy stench to it at one area and was also wet as far as the carpet goes on one of my stairs. I am wondering what to do because I've been trying to get rid of this smell for 3 days and I can't soak up any more water from the stair.

vicky September 24, 2014 - 12:42 pm

Hi I really need your help as i am really worried about my mum, she moved into a council bungalow at the end of July we didn't notice it at first but a really strange smell as gradually been getting worse n old lady who lived there before was apparently always complaining about it but because she had early stages of dementia nobody took any notice. Recently it has got really bad its not there all the time but when its bad it makes you want to gip, my mum has now got a really bad chest infection resulting in many steroids and she is on her second lot of antibiotics. We have had council work men out who have checked the loft and under the floor boards for anything that has died but nothing and they say they cant smell anything but anyone who walks into the bedroom says how bad it is. Could this be mould and how dangerous as my little boy sleeps there and am worried about my mum please help

Lisa February 11, 2015 - 7:05 am

My husband and I (and 4 kids, plus one on the way) just moved to Kentucky from Vermont-- about 1000 miles. We moved into a home the end of October and by mid November, my husband has been suffering a cough so bad he's passed out several times (sometimes as many as 6-8 times a day), has been out of work for a month because he's passing out and they won't allow him to work around machinery. A week ago, he started having diarrhea and vomiting. He's seeing our family Dr, a cardiologist (our Dr did an EKG and he had some minor disturbances) and a pulmonologist (coughing, flu like symptoms that having gone away in 3 months but no fever). We live in a trailer, and were told that the whole place had been gutted and rebuilt but we're having some issues with moisture-- bathroom fan drips randomly, inside of windows gets condensation and drips, before we had the kid's beds set up, they just had their mattresses on the floor and the floor under their mattresses would get wet, etc. Could there be mold growing now? What about in the exterior wood flooring? If everything is new inside, wouldn't that mean the only place for mold to be is outside?

Ron miller February 17, 2015 - 1:58 pm

To whom it may concern I am 77years old I have COPD I I've in an apartment all my furniture In bedroom and living room is covered with white dust I don't know what to do is it harmful for my lungs help

shawntray foster March 17, 2015 - 6:47 am

Last year mold was found in my house my landlord moved me and my family to a motel she stated that it was gone but I think its still there cause my house still has that basement wet smell to it know my family has been complaining about they head hurts the doctor said sinuses they have before

Matthew Groff March 20, 2015 - 3:31 pm

@Lisa Are you using a humidifier? or do you have a pan of water or a Pot of water on a Space Heater or a heat vent? Why do I ask? Because it sounds like the Humidity level in your home is, pardon the use of the term, "Through the Roof", No Pun intended!! Or you have a leak in your roof! or Both!! When I was a Volunteer Fire Fighter many years ago we got called out to a House trailer, that was experiencing electrical problems and the cause was Very Very High Humidity in the house! The Humidity levels were so HIGH that it was "RAINING" inside the HOUSE!!! They were using a couple of space heaters and putting pans and pots full of water on top of them and using a Humidifier! All of this Humidity could not escape and therefore "condensed" all over the walls, Ceilings, floors, inside of the walls, ceiling and floors and made it look like it was "Raining" inside! All of this moisture caused so much damage to the insulation, flooring, walls, and wiring shorting out that the Trailer house had to be replaced!! eventually that family moved out and then a couple years later that "new" trailer burned down! The Cause I believe was determined to be: "Electrical". The State Police Fire investigator found some wires that had "Shorted out", but could not determine what caused the "Short". If the Bathroom Exhaust fan drips water then either it is clogged or it does not work properly or does not work at all! Or there could be a roof leak in the area of the vent pipe or there was an "Ice Dam" caused by ice or snow in the Gutter piling up and being frozen and then resulted in rain runoff or melt water being forced under the roofing shingles and then into the attic/eave areas. All of these "issues" need to be IMMEDIATELY Addressed and taken care of!! I hope this helps!

lidia March 28, 2015 - 6:29 am

I have had asthma all my life. But for 4 years ever since I moved to this house I'm at, I started getting asthma symptoms every day. But now like a year ago, not only in the day time, but in the night I wake up weezing And breathless. I went away for vacations 2 weeks ago. And miracles I was fine, no symptoms at all. Could there be mold in my house?

Sheila Bell May 22, 2015 - 10:33 am

I wanted to see answers to all these comments! Are they posted somewhere?

Colleen Maass July 16, 2015 - 9:32 am

we live in an older duplex that has no basement. Around the outside of the toilet in the upstairs bathroom is a large area of black that has come thru the linoleum. Could this be a mold problem? I have a landlady that does nothing with the problems we are having.

BrianReeves July 24, 2015 - 12:23 pm

COLLEEN MAASS: That could indicate a mold problem. The best way to determine if it is mold is to have it tested by a professional. As for the landlady that does not do anything to fix problems this article on Renter Rights and Mold (https://moldblogger.com/renter-rights-and-mold/) and MOLD-Cademy (https://moldblogger.com/mold-101/) may be good resources to help.

BrianReeves July 24, 2015 - 12:30 pm

Here is another article on the subject of mold in rentals that may be helpful.

Jessica Curtis July 24, 2015 - 10:21 am

There is no answers to these comments. The author Jocelyn, has only responded once to this blog, and it wasn't with any kind of answers. We recently found black mold underneath our mobile home. Lots of it. My husband and I both are having symptoms of this mold. We told our landlord and our maintenance guy about it, but no one seems in any rush to help fix this problem. We have a four year old daughter who is sneezing a lot, but doesn't seem to have the symptoms as severe as we are. IF ANYBODY - LIKE THE AUTHOR OF THIS BLOG - WOULD LIKE TO ACTUALLY FOLLOW THROUGH ON THIS BLOG THEY POSTED....THAT WOULD BE GREAT

BrianReeves July 24, 2015 - 12:19 pm

From personal experience, mold is no small issue, and we take every question very seriously. That said, I would love to dedicate the proper time to answer every question on here, but the unfortunate reality is that I have to balance this blog with a full time job and a family. Joslyn is no longer able to assist with this blog and we do our best to keep up with it in her absence. As for your question, this post on renter rights and mold (https://moldblogger.com/renter-rights-and-mold/) may be be a helpful resource, as well as our MOLD-Cademy page (https://moldblogger.com/mold-101/) which lists the state resources you can contact for your situation. Remember to document everything (photos and correspondence to landlords, etc). Myself and my family have been in a home with mold and other health issues and had to remove ourselves from the residence.

Larry Fried August 30, 2015 - 1:05 pm

We teach IICRC Water Damage in Atlanta GA and in local offices from North Dakota to the Atlantic Ocean and in between. Looking to help restoration companies be better.

Joanne September 11, 2015 - 2:36 pm

I had mr roof restoration done almost 2 years ago and they told there would be no more mold or any other problems but since the roof was done I'm getting mold in the bedrooms which I never had before should they have to come and fix it as they give a 10 year warranty

Brett Stevens III September 11, 2015 - 2:40 pm

Thanks for the article. We see cases like these every day.

4M (Miss Meyer's class) September 22, 2015 - 4:57 am

When we came into the classroom this morning we found thick mould in one corner, all over the tables and chairs. Help! Mould is covering our classroom and affecting the pupils. It is everywhere. I mean, everywhere! All of us have started to have health issues such as coughing and being sick. We want to ask- how do you get rid of it? We are very aware that everyone needs to be safe. We are just children and we don't want to get ill. Can you help us with this problem?

Shante October 24, 2015 - 8:14 am

a 2 bedroom apartment I've recently had a water leak from a broken pipe in my bathroom because of the toilet I had water leaking from my ceiling where the maintenance had to come and cut my roof out replace the boards the toilet and my ceiling I think it's still mold under my tile floors in my bathroom they did not fix that issue what can I do to help this situation because I have a medically sick child and she cannot afford to be any sicker please help please

Shante October 24, 2015 - 8:17 am

I've expressed my concern even gave a threat to call the health department my property management always makes. Exscuses about fixing these issues I have a sick baby omg ?

Lori November 10, 2015 - 2:50 pm

my name is Lori, im 36 weeks pregnant . iv made a complaint to every landlord we've had including the one now and also to the new owner but nobody seems to care. what should I do next??

Smokey Smell December 5, 2015 - 12:10 pm

Hi, There's like a smoke like smell every time I go into the bathroom. No one smokes in my house so I'm not sure what it could be. I can also smell that odor on the other side of the wall, which is in the kitchen. Those are the only two places. My neighbor downstairs mentioned once that there was some sort of plumbing problem with the previous tenants. I'm sure you won't be able to diagnos a problem with such a brief description, but any chance you might think it might be mold?

Gigi February 27, 2016 - 11:02 pm

Hi Smokey, I have a recurring mold problem, and my house starts to smell like smoke mixed with a hint of must in the rooms with mold when it grows back. I thought that it was just me, but my roommate smelled it without me having mentioned it, and it always correlates to when the mold reappears. I haven't found anything online (other than your comment referencing that type of smell), but I've experienced the correlation at least 30 times. When I clean the mold, it goes away. There is, however, a possibility that your house may have been inhabited by a smoker at one point, the smoke smell can often erupt through having been painted over, but a smoky residue that is strong enough to come through paint would probably permeate the whole house. You should have it checked out if you can.

Jack Palmer April 6, 2016 - 4:58 am

I had no idea that, "When (mold) is confined to one area of your home, you may notice an unpleasant odor when you are in that area." I wasn't really aware of the smell mold could have. It's a good way to know if there is an issue in our house. The one thing I do know about it is to remove it as soon as possible. Thanks for the info!

Faye Allen April 11, 2016 - 3:44 am

I have been real sick ever sense i moved in this little 4 room house, the landlord told me you have to wash the baseboards once a month, or you will get mold and mildew. Great i thought, he was told i just left a black mold and mildew mobile home it was terrible. Under the cuberts it smells very musty and moldy. I have been in the hospital 6 or 7 times now due to breathing problems, terrible cough, and so on. I need some suggestions, i stay sick while i am in the house, outside away from the house i feel ok.. I know i am being misdiagnosed, what can i do,??? This is killing me litterally. Thanks for your help.

Nancy McDonough April 14, 2016 - 12:00 pm

Hi my name is Nancy we had bought a small house, not know we had a mold problem in our basement had it taken care of. But every time im out of the house for a few hours and come home , i notice a musty smell and the smell gets on my clothes in my closet, i dont know what the smell can be. Do you think it can be mold still. So confused. Ive had upper respiratory infections too. Please answer me . Thank you Respectfully Nancy

Sam April 20, 2016 - 4:09 am

There's nothing worse than having a damp & mould problem - In my last house, which I previously rented - There were some clear indications of a mould problem: - Strange Smell - Health Issues (Asthma) - Condensation Build-up My landlord was useless and didn't provide me with any solution, even though it was a clear fault with the property - I ended buying one of these - https://www.meacodehumidifiers.co.uk/meaco-dd8l-zambezi-desiccant-dehumidifier-free-3-year-warranty - really helped out!

B.C.-Maxxx May 21, 2016 - 8:44 am

Hey my wife and i are starting to really suspect a major mold issue in our 2 bedroom bottom floor apartment. We have been here for about 3 monthes and within 2 weeks of moving inn i started getting a very large gross looking dry spot thing on my right foot. We recently started smelling a horrible smell in every room we thought it might be a diaper or rotten food since we have a 2 year old boy but last night i noticed it seems to be coming from the carpet + walls and it is now on our couch bed clothes etc. Also noticed the carpet seems very cold almost damp. I found black spots appearing on the carpet i thought it was just dirt but last night took a sharp knife and scissors to a spot and cut off some of it and it was greenish black in color we just bought a brand new sectional couch and mattress which both have this gross smell stuck to it. Am i going to have to get rid of all my furniture? And im worried about my 2 kids one being two years and other one 7 monthes and crawling on the floor... I feel so disgusted i dont want to be in my home nor want my family in it. The smell is very odd it is almost like a very old person smell, mixxed with wet dog or old socks or something its a smell ive never smelled hard to describe. I am almost ready to rip the carpet up and cut into walls but do not want to get charged $ seeing as its a rental. And my landlordes are by far not the most trustworthy or helpfull. Everything that they think they can get away with blaming on the tenant they blame on tenants anyway hopeing for an answer if someone has any pointers itd be greatly appreciated

B.C.-Maxxx May 21, 2016 - 11:03 am

My wife and I are starting to suspect a major mold issue in our bottom floor 2 bedroom appartment that we are currently renting . There are black spots showing up on our carpet and last night i took a sharp knife and cut a little piece out it was greenish black in color. Aproximently a couple weeks or so after moving in i discovered a large very dry gross looking growth thing on bottom of my right foot, not thinking to much about it just thought it was bad dry skin. Unfortunetly its been 2 to 3 monthes and it hasnt reseaded. About 10 days ago we had rainy weather and ever since there has been a really offputting stench in the whole house. Not 1 room is lacking this smell of hard to describe but sort of like a mix of old folks home/dirty dog/old socks and horrible ciggerate smell.... Ive smoked for years and dont own a dog or have an old person here etc and never have i smelt it before. Within a bit over a week the stench seems to be in my new sectional sofa and mattress which arent used or old or anything. Could this be mold?? And if so is the furniture garbage? Ive also noticed a semi large sized crack on wall seperating wall from floor and there is a draft creeping thru.... My main concern are my 2 kids ages 2 and 8 monthes . My daughter is crawling on this floor and its really unsettling after doing reserch on mold the last littIe while i feel disgusted and dont even want to be home yet alone have my wife and kids be here crawling and playing etc on carpet. Ive called my landlord but he isnt taking very seriously, im about ready to rip the carpet up and puncture wall to inspect further but worry my landlord will try to have me pay for all this seeing as how when my toilet clogged and wouldnt flush he went into full scale C.S.I. mode trying to find any reason to make me pay for the whole job as if i broke it... Lol it didnt work out tho lol contractor laughed at him and said the building is ancient and no way i did any wrong because underneath was all roated out and id lived there a month at that point. But he still acted as tho it twas my fault. Soo i cant see him fixing it without a fight and until he comes to look im in the dark here. Should i be looking into a new place? Is all my stuff ruined? I just really need some guidance ive never delt with this before and the smell is getting worse. If anybody that read all this has any advice it would be wicked awesome im not a master moldmurderer but need one asap .

Jody Molchen June 23, 2016 - 7:55 am

I'm in the process of buying a home built in 1980, the owners have been very proactive almost to the point where I'm concerned I'm missing something. The house appears to have a stickiness to all the painted wood, at first this did not concern me but the closets also have those plastic coated wire shelved and they are covered with this same substance, the attic entrance is covered in black, what appears to be fingerprints but definitely black. My inspection is tomorrow but I'm concerned there is an excessive amount of moisture in this home. Your thoughts? I've googled all I can google at this point. Thanks!

Kelley Conley September 15, 2016 - 9:27 pm

Hi good morning, I am hoping that someone will be able to help us. I am turning to you desperately seeking someone to finally help us resolve this horrible situation we are experiencing at our current residence. Her is my story: We have been living here at 1 Fairway Drive, Derry, NH for approximately 3 years and the first year we didn't have any real issues. But on October 15th 2015 our lives were turned upside down. We first thought we had a flea problem as we found 1 flea on our cat, in which was taken care of right away. However a day after we started experiencing bites, and began inspecting our "below-grade" apartment, only to witness small insects jumping in our carpets. We contacted the office right away and they responded by flea bombing our apartment, hallway and public laundry room. We spoke with other residents of 1 Fairway Drive only to find out that others also had been having similar issues. Their pets too had fleas, one couple had drain flies and fruit flies, another resident admitted to having fleas and instead of contacting the office they bombed their own apartment with store bought product, and it goes on! They even buried a dead rabbit in the back of the building! We thought we were ok but our symptoms continued and got worse. We ended up going to our doctors on several occasions with no avail, diagnosed with possible dermatitis, scabies, and then pinworms. We had no improvement with treatment. I believe we never even had any of these diagnosis. However something was consistently aggravating our skin and at the worst times we were pulling what looked like fleas, or again some type of insect from our skin with tweezers. This has been so traumatizing I can't even begin to express how bad it has been. We have spent countless hours and spent crazy amounts of our money ( which we don't make much) on replacing items that have been ruined, such as Clothing, furniture, and food just to name a few. We had to purchase tons of cleaning products to somehow disinfect this disgusting apartment. We finally collected specimens from our skin lesions and brought them to the UNH entomologist who stated that there were some grain beetles but mostly nothing that would cause our skin infections. At this point we seriously thought we were going crazy! We contacted the office again and they sent out their contracted pest control company to check for bed bugs, again to NO avail. They agreed to rip up our living room carpet which had black stains and sludge seeping up through from God knows where! They replaced the carpet with "faux" hardwood flooring. Which also continues to collect black sludge seeing up through. We can't walk barefoot anywhere otherwise our feet become black and its very hard to clean off. With months passing things had gotten worse if you can even believe that! More doctor appointments, and serious health problems experienced by myself, husband and son. They include but are not limited to skin irritations, respiratory problems, headaches, irritability, sleeping problems, eye irritation ( pink eye ), our son has become aggressive and angry, nausea, vomiting and more. Other tenants have also expressed how they have experienced viral and bacterial infections. With more research, continued symptoms, and a lack of concern from the Apartment Management, we believe there is toxic black mold that engulfs this entire building. Here is a list of other issues that have also been a HUGE problem: - [ ] Pest control confirms thousands of Norway rats live behind building ( not confirmed tone inside however there is indicating signs that they do. - [ ] Electrical issues - [ ] Septic system problems: bathroom sink leaks, toilet clogs constantly and overflows onto floor which even after cleaning is very unhealthy - [ ] A/C has never been cleaned and blows out dirt - [ ] Kitchen sink leaks - [ ] Black carpets even after cleaning - [ ] Our walls have cut-outs as if they have had years of problems but deny they have piping or damage inside walls - [ ] The vents outside building have birds nests in them which can cause several blockage problems causing mites to get in through vents that blow out not suck in - [ ] We noticed dead flies, water damaged walls, leak stains in ceilings and in hallways. - [ ] Carpets are so lose you can pull them up revealing a very disturbing sight. We eventually contacted the town Building inspectors Bill Mackie and Bob Wentworth along with the health inspector Courtney Boegart who finally all came out to investigate the building to see if there is any code violations. A week later we received a call stating that they saw no code violations however Courtney Boegart stated she wished we hadn't re-signed our lease. I believe due to the revenue the Fairways brings in for the town of Derry, they are all in kahoots with each other and therefore won't risk losing the money they bring in so they all deny any issues. The final straw was just recently, when myself and other tenants have witnessed rats behind the building. There are thousands of Norway rats ( confirmed by the Fairways management team's contracted pest control company.)they placed 1 rat bait box under our bedroom window and never reached out to us on the problem any further. We still notice rats. We also have caught a local Carpet company that continues to clean " a ton of leaks in this building " as the cleaner states, and then empties the contaminated water into our sewer drain located in the parking lot. I have contacted the office providing pictures and video, who said they would resolve this problem, however it continues to happen. Also, 2 weeks ago, when our bathroom vent began pouring water out onto our bathroom floor. Only to discover the leak was from the third floor that had been an ongoing issue due to a resident ignoring their own bathroom leaking problem. They opened up the bathroom ceiling revealing soaked wood, black toxic mold, and who knows what else. We are absolutely literally and figuratively sick and tired and are considering contacting a lawyer. Our lease is up in February, and at this point we are in search for a new place. We will move ASAP but this problem is above and beyond anything I ever could imagined. We have an appointment for our son to be tested for black mold poisoning. We are at our wits end and don't know who else to reach out to for help. We have contacted the EPA, and unfortunately there are ok regulations on mold, we have requested the below-grade apartment to be tested for mold as well as test the air quality. However these tests are beyond expensive. I am on disability and do not have the resources to have anyone to come out to test for these issues. Until we can actually find a new healthy, and safe place to live we continue to suffer the effects from living in this nasty, unhealthy, and dirty apartment..we are at a loss and seriously pray that someone can help investigate this issue before it's too late. We have thousands of pictures and videos we can provide as proof of what we are enduring. I have provided a few just to give you an idea of the horrific nightmare we face, if you are able to help us obviously you will have access to any and all of the emails, videos, medical notes and pictures we have for proof of our situation. Even though we may be leaving, we still want answers to why this is happening, who is responsible, do we have the rights to restitution for all of the trauma, time, and money lost during the past year from Hell. We also have concern for the other tenants who live here. Everyone deserves a healthy safe place to live especially those with children. This building is a hazard and I want it to be resolved. If you can and want to help please contact me Kelley Conley at 603-260-4510 or at kac374@hotmail.com

Todd Remington December 12, 2016 - 11:47 am

Joslyn, Interesting article. To read more about mold resistant home design, check out the Buildwise.org website - http://www.buildwise.org/mold-resistant-home-design/

Harold Hollister December 18, 2016 - 9:59 am

Do you post answers to all these questions? If so, how can I view them?

Martha Stout December 18, 2016 - 11:06 am

Can mold come up from crawl space through a hardwood floor?

gilbert turo January 16, 2017 - 7:39 pm

Is it ok to live in a house that has mould in a room that is sealed off?

M. Roberts July 17, 2017 - 6:29 pm

Ok folks I am not an expert BUT I am on my 3rd year of trying to recover from extensive mold exposure of over 7 years. Starting with a limb making a hole in the roof during a storm, although promptly fixed moisture was trapped in the walls and attic. The health issues were endless and now I have developed chemical sensitivities also, which resulted in leaving my job. Previously I was active and VERY healthy, NO doctor visits for any illnesses only pregnancy and injuries. I am a fraction of the person I was once was. And yes I did notice the decline, it was gradual like watching your kids grow up, you don't really see it happening until they are away for awhile or look at past years pictures. Very insidious. But I had no 'cause' when I did go to a doctor. No help there, just a lot of prescriptions for symptoms which only burdened my body with more chemicals I didn't need. I got the impression he thought it was all in my head or menapause. My doctor wouldn't even discuss mold after I found I was exposed. (I found a new, better doctor.) Treating symptoms won't fix the problem. I quit taking medications offered because it never seemed to help my symptoms anyway. It only burdens the body that is already in an ultra detoxing frenzy. I was VERY sick and felt like I was in fight or flight mode all the time, how true that really was. I was being assaulted by mold toxins. Throughout all this I passed my wellness checks for work with flying colors. IF YOU SMELL MOLD YOU HAVE MOLD. I never saw the mold where I was living, it was in an attic, the whole attic, come to find out after I crawled in there, every inch. I'm sure it started small. IF IT'S IN ONE ROOM, IT'S IN ALL ROOMS. Mold spores are produced by the billions. You can't see mold spores but they are waiting to grow on almost any damp place in your house. Humidity is enough to keep a contaminated area flourishing. Usually in places you can't easily see. It is in the hidden places that the danger is, because if you see it you can clean it, right? Spore being breathed, consumed, and absorbed through the skin in EXCESS are what will compromise your health. IF YOU HAVE MOLD YOU CAN CROSS CONTAMINATE A NEW ENVIRONMENT. I was in such a poor condition that I basically walked away from nearly everything I owned. I had a storage unit that I put my keepsakes, family pictures, heirlooms, ect. thinking when I get better I can have those special pieces of my past. After 3 years, although I consider myself much improved, I was still greatly affected just by entering that unit and decided I was too afraid to expose myself to those toxins again. Even though there was no active mold growing on those items, the concentration of spore was more than I could handle. Giving it all up. Can't go backwards, must go forward. I feel like I had to give up so much but I can't live sick all the time when I have the power to change it. This is NASTY stuff please don't wait until your health is compromised. Your immune system takes a huge hit when exposed, sooner or later it will catch up to you, some sooner or more than others. I left the boyfriend in that house (his) he says it doesn't bother him, but I see symptoms of exposure starting in him, he just hasn't acknowledged them because he doesn't want to move from the family homestead. I can't ride in a car with him because the spore he carries on his clothes affects me. I am now one of those health nuts, organic foods, no processed, no additives, no GMOs, (lol all the food I buy has less than 2 ingredients, no need to read labels anymore because there aren't any on my food), reducing chemical exposures, no alcohol, taking natural cures for symptoms blah,blah,blah, because NOTHING else has worked. Rebuilding my health and body is my focus and I'm getting better! Lots of expectations for the future. Who needs material things anyway? Have to look for some new friends though because most people don't really understand. But that's ok too. Don't let this happen to you. Lots of info on the net, get informed and yes it can really be that bad. If you are the partner without symptoms please be supportive of the partner who has symptoms, it is very real. Anybody who says it isn't hasn't walked a mile in my shoes.

krystle July 18, 2017 - 7:01 am

Thanks so much for sharing your experience and advice!

DIANA WISSICK September 3, 2017 - 12:05 pm

MY HUSBAND PUT THE PIPE FROM THE WATER SOFTENER TO DRAIN IN THE AIR CONDITIONER INSTEAD OF PUTTING IT IN THE WALL OF THE GARAGE TO DRAIN OUTSIDE. WHEN I HAD MY AIR CONDITIONER SERVICED, THEY NOTICED MOLD IN THE AIR CONDITIONER AND PUT A UV LIGHT IN THE AIR CONDITIONER AND CLEANED OUT ALL THE DUCTS. I DON'T NOTICE ANY SIGN OF MOLD IN MY HOUSE OR ANY SMELL. SINCE, THEN MY CONDITIONER HAD TO BE REPLACED AND THEY PUT THE UV LIGHT BACK IN THE NEW AIR CONDITIONER AND CLEANED ALL THE DUCTS AGAIN. I'M WORRIED SINCE HEARING ABOUT ALL THESE MOLD PROBLEMS. ALSO, MY HOUSE WAS BUILT IN 2004 - IT IT NOT AN OLD HOUSE. COULD YOU PLEASE REASSURE ME THAT I HAVE NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT. ( MY NEIGHBOR NEXT DOOR BOUGHT THEIR HOUSE THAT NOBODY LIVED IN FOR 6 YEARS AND THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS NEVER ON IN THE 6 YEARS THAT THE HOUSE WASN'T SOLD. THE PREVIOUS OWNER THAT BOUGHT THE HOUSE AFTER NOBODY LIVED IN THERE FOR 6 YEARS, LIVED THERE FOR ABOUT 4 YEARS, REMODELED THE MASTER BATH AND MASTER BEDROOM BY REMOVING THE DRYWALL AND REPLACING IT. BUT NEVER REPLACED ANY DRYWALL IN THE REST OF THE HOUSE.HE MOVED AND SOLD IT TO ANOTHER COUPLE. COULD THE NEW NEIGHBOR STILL HAVE MOLD IN SOME PARTS OF THEIR HOUSE? )

Jill October 12, 2017 - 11:31 pm

M.Roberts from July 17, 2017: THANK YOU for your cogent, moving, and informative post. People, PLEASE READ it!! I just paid $2500 to move my worldly possessions into an apt that is reeking of pot (it's mold) and has a heavy musty smell in the attic (mold) right above me. I thought the attic smell was just from not being ventilated, because it did not seem moist up there. Well, after an extremely dry summer, we had a few days of rain this week. I do not have the cash to move my stuff again, and after three days of the pot odor in my apartment, my chest hurts and I'm wheezing. You try to rationalize and think about the cost of moving and of having to lose everything you own or tire the contaminated cargo with you. Do many posts here are full of these feelings of anger and most of all, denial. This mold is a loaded gun, releasing at you in slow motion. There is no price you can put on your life and health. Pray, enlist friends and family, government aid, WHATEVER YOU HAVE TO DO TO MOVE OUT AND GET HEALTHY AGAIN. take it from me, I didn't plan on moving out two weeks after moving in, but Giad as my witness, I'm out. Good luck and good judgment to you all.

Jill October 13, 2017 - 12:02 am

M.Roberts from July 17, 2017: THANK YOU for your cogent, moving, and informative post. People, PLEASE READ it!! I just paid $2500 to move my worldly possessions into an apt that is reeking of pot (it's mold) and has a heavy musty smell in the attic (mold) right above me. I thought the attic smell was just from not being ventilated, because it did not seem moist up there. Well, after an extremely dry summer, we had a few days of rain this week. I do not have the cash to move my stuff again, and after three days of the pot odor in my apartment, my chest hurts and I'm wheezing. You try to rationalize and think about the cost of moving and of having to lose everything you own or take the contaminated cargo with you. So many posts here are full of feelings of anger, helplessness, and most of all, denial. I get it! Think of it differently. Mold is a loaded gun, releasing at you in slow motion. One day, the bullet will have done enough harm to take you completely down. There is no price you can put on your life and health. The landlady suffers from emphysema and had a heart attack last year. I know why now. Pray, enlist friends and family, seek government aid, DO WHATEVER YOU HAVE TO DO TO MOVE OUT AND GET HEALTHY AGAIN. Take it from me, I didn't plan on moving out ten days after moving in, but God as my witness, I'm out. Good luck and good judgment to you all.

N November 24, 2017 - 9:58 pm

Have an expert performing mold inspection in a few days; found yellow mold and white mold in a coat hanging in basement. Musty odor has been present for several months in basement and has traveled upstairs. Failed to act when smell was first evident, now think mold may be in walls in basement. No evidence of mold growing on walls. Will have to wait for inspection to know. Plan on having the entire house tested ( including attic). Having trouble breathing at times ( very congested and have had problems with eyes red and irritated). Will insist on test for mold behind wall boards in basement as well as first and second floor. All I can do for now....had basement remediated 5 years ago because of dead mouse in dropped ceiling and wet wall to wall. Should have had remediation done by a company that does this type of work. Hope to solve this problem and move on. Also have office in basement and now planning on removing clothing and office from the basement

James September 13, 2018 - 6:26 am

I remember when we first went into our attic and discovered some of our family photo albums damaged by mould. We were absolutely mortified we'd been living with a spreading mould and didn't even know about it. I would advise anyone moving into an old property to check their roofing ventilation.

Daryl Watters February 3, 2019 - 7:16 am

Great info on how to find mold in your property. I like to add that if a person is looking for a suspected mold issue they should include the ac unit. The interior of ac units and ducts are a favorite hiding place for mold. Also you mentioned having a proffessional inspection done, I could not agree more. Sometimes a homeowner can figure out the problem and resolve it all on their own. You have links to some nice products that can help in such cases. But sometimes a full time mold testing consultant is needed in order to both find the problem and find the cause so it does not return.

Stefan Bradley June 25, 2019 - 6:13 am

I didn't know that mold had a specific odor and had the ability to live behind walls and wallpaper that will make it difficult to find. There has been an awful smell in my house for the past few days, I thought it was the refrigerator at first but I think it is actually coming from the walls. I will hire a mold remediation service to see if they can pinpoint the location of the mold so my house can start smelling the way that it did before.

Faylinn Byrne August 28, 2019 - 8:07 am

Wow, I never knew that mold does not only live on the walls, but can also reside withing wallpaper or walls, so smell is a significant factor in recognizing mold. My mom came to my house the other day to help me with the kids, and she mentioned there was a funky smell in the kitchen. I will need to hire an expert to come and take a look to see what can be done.

Kate Hansen September 3, 2019 - 9:04 am

It really helped when you said that you could have a problem if you notice an unusual odor in your home. Last week I was smelling a weird smell in my home and I wasn't sure what it could be. I'll have to look into hiring a mold removal service to get rid of it!

Jay Jorgenson September 13, 2019 - 6:06 am

My aunt has been noticing a weird smell around her home. I never knew that if you are experiencing watering eyes while you're in your home, these can be a sign of the presence of mold. Thank you for the information. I'll recommend my aunt to contact a mold inspection service to see if her house has mold.

Eileen Benson September 30, 2019 - 10:49 am

I'm glad you pointed out that a strange odor can indicate a mold problem. My husband noticed a small like you described in our kitchen. Thanks for letting me know that we should have a mold removal service take a look soon!

Greta James December 30, 2019 - 8:59 am

Yesterday, I went to visit my sister and I noticed that there are water lines on the walls in the basement! I am worried that there might be mold back there! Thank you for your tip that moisture in a home can mean there is a potential for mold even if it is no longer moist. I will have to tell her she should get the home inspected.

Daphne Gilpin January 3, 2020 - 12:29 pm

It made sense when you said that we should probably be concerned about a mold problem if we've had a leak in our roof recently. My husband discovered a moderate-sized leak near the corner of our home's attic this morning. I wouldn't have thought to use a mold testing service without reading your article, so thanks for sharing!

Kazimierz Zerdka January 15, 2020 - 11:26 pm

You owe your professional achievements to your hard work. And you also want your home to be always warm and friendly to your family. After all, home is a family haven of love. You like to have money, be healthy and happy, and all this means that you should read this report to the end. If you disagree with what you read, give this message to someone else who needs more love than you or throw the card into the nearest basket. For immediate reakcji Contact Kazimierz Zerdka 07709814415 All questions should be sent by text, I am not able to make phone calls during other works performed by me. Please, respect this activity. e-mail: molddamp@gmail.com https://www.molddamp.co.uk Is black mold on my walls bad? Not every black mold is bad but all molds should be treated as potential health hazards. The only way to tell whether the mold is bad or not is to have it tested by a qualified mycologist (i.e., a person who is qualified to correctly identify yeasts and molds). But regardless of whether the mold is of health concern or not it should be removed for a number of good reasons. First, mold damages any organic material it grows on. Secondly, mold is unsightly and we don’t want to see it growing on the walls of our houses. Moisture problems in existing basements are very common, but often are not understood or properly treated. In a basement that is seldom used and separate from the living spaces above, this may not present a great problem. However, most basements in UK are connected to the rest of the house through ductwork or other openings. In addition, basements are increasingly used as finished living and bedroom spaces. In these cases, moisture problems are not only annoying and uncomfortable, but can lead to significant health problems. Molds and mildew can grow in damp carpets and beneath wall coverings. Finishing a basement without first dealing with the moisture problems can result in making health conditions worse and lead to significant damage as well. Basement water problems are solvable, but there is a cost to doing it right. Live in an old house, or buying one? Are you Property Owner? I've experienced almost everything that can go wrong with one. I work with early medieval stone cottages and timber frames to Edwardian and Victorian townhouses. Old houses go wonky - usually because of moisture. I are by far and away the leading expert not only in the UK in the causes of moisture problems in houses - how they affect the fabric, and how to diagnose and cure the problem property. The enemy of old houses is we humans - it's what we do to them wrong , or fail to understand about them, al all. Most problems of damp in pre-1920's buildings have been caused since the war, when cement and gypsum plaster became widely available - these two materials are responsible for over 90% of the damage that we see. They are impervious, they trap moisture and cause rot - they are death to an old house. Add silicone sealants to a timber frame, and you have instant rot of oak which is probably 400 years old. I have seen new timber frames start to rot in 2 or 3 years when incompetent framers seal the panels using silicon instead of oak chips with lime, which can breathe. Restoring an old home is all about understanding the environment, and how it affects materials it's built with. By understanding this, it becomes a relatively simple task to sort out and manage problems causing damp. I travel all over the country. I can examine the entire house and come up with suggestions or solutions for other related problems - I are experienced in all aspects of building conservation. I costs related to the examination of the facility are usually around £ 800 - £ 1500 + VAT, plus travel and potential accommodation costs. This includes a report that is usually sufficient for most operational purposes. I spend a day with you there, sometimes two or more examining a potential property, explaining any problems found and ways to solve them, estimating the costs of future and costs of services . This gives a clear picture of what you need to budget for if you are buying a property. In some recent cases, this meant that the property was not worth buying. This service is also useful for users who are already, using the property and have noticed moisture problems. The above described building humidity test is covered by a money back guarantee of up to three months, if the customer is not satisfied with my services. Kazimierz Zerdka

Ellie Davis February 10, 2020 - 9:37 am

My mother has been struggling with respiratory problems lately even though she already visit a couple of doctors. I was not aware that the presence of mold in your house could lead to health problems. I will make sure to call a professional to inspect my mother's house and see if it helps.

Charlotte Fleet February 24, 2020 - 4:39 pm

I didn't realize that feeling congested and having your eyes water while home could be a sign of mold. My husband has been mentioning that he feels a lot better at work than he does at home in the past few weeks. I think we should look into having a mold inspection company come out and let us know what we can do to treat it.

Debbie Horn April 21, 2020 - 4:45 pm

Hello. I live in San Diego. Alpine area. I have been sick since late Dec 2019. Started out with rash on neck with severe itching. This is still going on. Then my face severe rash and swollen. I then started feeling like bugs were under my skin. Then the worst started with my nerve endings inside going crazy starting from my head and moves all down my body. I started to have a confused brain couldn't say my words like I had a stroke. My mobility was off. Sensitivity to light. Rash started appearing on both of my knees. Bright like fire. I have insomnia and started having hand tremors. I went to emergency 3 times in 2 days. I thought I was having a stroke with pins and needles having a war within my body. I have always been healthy. I have been to dermatologist 3 times, neurologist, had 24 blood tests, rhumitologist, primary 5 times. I have begged them to take blood work for mold exposure. They ignore me. The ER treated me as though I was crazy. I have same issues going on and it is now April 2020. I am suppose to get skin punched by dermotogist in 5 areas of my body and send to biopsy. I know its mold. My condo is 35 years old. It's all wood. My place is clean. I have witnessed many floods in these units. My son who resides in these condos has a 3 yr. Old . He has severe mold in his condo but manager and owner stated it wasn't mold they were delirious. We have pictures of everything. They are also suffering physical issues. Chest pain, needles in their face, my grandson has a continuous cough, and now leaky skin. We are out of our minds. Please if anyone can tell me of an atty to contact or what step we need to take please email me. I heard from a plumber that there was severe leakage of water about 6 years back. There was a litigation. I am shocked doctors will not take blood tests for mold at your request. Please help us. I am still sick. Don't know what to do. My email address debbiehorn619@gmail.com Thank you for reading my story. I can sen you pics of the mold found.

Rebecca Gardner February 23, 2021 - 12:23 pm

I'm glad you mentioned that mold can start to affect your health if it's leaf untreated in a home. My husband and I discovered water damage due to a burst pipe in our basement this morning. Thanks for teaching me why it's important for us to use a water damage service and closely monitor the potential mold situation moving forward.

Eli Richardson March 12, 2021 - 6:47 am

It really helped when you talked about how to tell if your home has a mold problem. In a few months, my wife and I will be moving into another house, and we want to make sure everything's in order before moving in. We've heard horror stories about mold problems, and we want to make sure the new house doesn't come with any mold issues. We appreciate your tips about how if there's a strange smell, it could be a mold sign.

Bielecky May 1, 2021 - 2:38 pm

Very important info for people who have been sick of this A must read article.

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