Are Mold Monsters Lurking in Your Home?

It’s that time of year again when ghosts, goblins and monsters can be seen everywhere on Halloween. We all know these monsters are not real, so it’s fun for both adults and children. However, there may be a real monster lurking in the depths of your home and you may have no idea it exists! No, we’re not talking about your children playing hide-and-go-seek in the closet – we’re talking about mold. 

Heavy rains and large (or even small) leaks in your home can cause mold to grow inside of the wall cavities or behind the cabinetry in your home. With the rainy season approaching, homeowners need to be aware of these sneaky leaks because they can cause major mold problems if left undetected.

Mold spores are found everywhere, as they are a common component of household and workplace dust. However, when spores are present in large quantities, they can be ghastly health hazards to humans. These spores potentially cause allergic reactions and respiratory problems.

According to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), 100% of all types of mold have the potential to cause some health effects. Exposure to high levels of mycotoxins can lead to neurological problems and in some cases death. Prolonged exposure can be particularly harmful. So what may appear to be harmless discoloration on your walls behind furniture or black spots growing on the walls and ceiling of your bathroom may likely be an issue that needs to be addressed before any of the exposure causes any harm to you or your loved ones.

Symptoms of mold exposure:

• Nasal and sinus congestion, runny nose, nose bleeds 
• Eye irritation, such as itchy, red, watery eyes 
• Respiratory problems, such as wheezing and difficulty breathing, chest tightness 
• Coughing 
• Throat irritation 
• Skin irritation, such as a rash 
• Headaches 
• Vomiting 
• Sneezing / Sneezing fits 

These are signs you can possibly have a hidden mold monster growing in your attic, crawlspace or behind your walls. If you notice any of these symptoms, don’t simply excuse them. According to the Mayo Clinic, 93% of chronic sinus infections have been attributed to mold. Mold spores can be spread throughout the home by your HVAC system. According to CNN Money, over 30% of brand-new homes built have mold of some form in them.

Often times, there is not a visible water source, obvious leak or visible discoloration to indicate the presence of mold growth may be lurking behind walls or cabinetry.

What can you do to protect your investment?

- Investigate any musty, foul or unusual odors in your home and address repair of water leaks in
a timely manner

- Check for any signs of water staining on cabinets and shelves, dripping of water from the hot
and cold angle stops and p-traps located beneath kitchen and bathroom sinks

- Look for discoloration on the floor around the base of toilets or the walls and cabinets next to
toilets

- Review your water bill for any significant increase

- Water pooling on the outside of your home may be a sign of a plumbing leak

- Paint on your walls that starts flaking off or chipping may be a sign of a water problem

- Mushrooms or white, green, or black fuzzy growth on carpets, walls or furniture are mold

- Look for discoloration or stains on your walls or ceiling which may be due to a roof, air
conditioner unit or plumbing leak

- Discolored tile grout, warping of wood flooring, or curling of vinyl tile or linoleum are often
signs of moisture or water

- Replace washing machine hoses that are deteriorated or are more than 5-years old

- Check for water staining on or around the water heater platform or rust on the hoses at the
top of the water heater

- Look for stains or discoloration at the base of kitchen cabinets or toe-kicks near your
dishwasher or refrigerator

- Spraying or wiping mold allows the mold spores to become airborne and inhaled

- Do not place fans in areas where you suspect there may be mold as this can blow mold spores
throughout your home

- Tape down a sheet of plastic over the visible mold area and call a professional to remove it

- Infants, elderly people and people with low immune systems are more likely to be adversely
affected by mold

- Open a window when running the shower if you don’t have a fan in your bathroom

Call SOS:

- For referral of reputable plumbers who can investigate to confirm if you have a leak or water
intrusion issue

- For referral of testing labs that can confirm the presence of mold and advise how to properly
remove it

- For referral of a water restoration service companies that specialize in properly drying any wet
building materials and are certified in the removal of mold

- For referral of reputable contractors that can repair and replace any materials removed due to
water or mold

Know when you should get a certified contractor to address your home’s mold issues. Don’t wait to address an issue and put yourself and family members at risk to being victims of health problems due to undetected mold in your home. Call SOS at 1-888-589-1868 to get reliable, local referrals to certified plumbing, water, mold and repair specialists or request services from our website.

Mold and Allergies

Seasonal allergies run rampant for some people when the seasons change, and summertime is the peak time of year for those allergic to mold. While there are plenty of mold species that merely trigger allergies, black mold in particular is known for its fatal effects. Here are a few ways you can stay safe and prevent a mold allergy from hindering your summer fun.

Help keep family members free from allergies by cleaning your ventilation system once every few years. Many homeowners don't realize that allergies are often triggered by dirty vents that constantly blow mold spores into every room of your house.

“Forty million Americans suffer from allergic rhinitis (aka hay fever), and mold is one of several triggers -- especially in summertime.”
(CBS8. "Fight theMold Allergy". Brooks, Ellen.)

Be aware of areas with potential for long-term moisture such as basements, bathrooms, and underneath sink areas. When moisture sits for too long it becomes a prime risk for mold growth. Some quick tips to prevent this kind of mold growth:

• Wipe puddles after showering and cooking
• Scrub bathroom tiles with household cleaner
• Avoid letting your carpets stay wet for too long
• Immediately address burst/leaky pipes
• Look for signs of a plumbing leaks inside bathroom and kitchen cabinets, at base of toilets, and behind appliances on a monthly basis

Attic spaces can also be a major source of mold allergies, as they can get very warm and humid. It can be a prime spot for mold growth because of moisture caused by humidity or roof leaks. Mold can be prevented here using plastic tubs instead of cardboard boxes for storage. Items such as textiles, stuffed animals, and other fabric keepsakes should be kept in plastic bags to seal out moisture.

If you have concerns of toxic mold, such as black mold, in your house it might be best to have your home tested for this substance. Black toxic mold becomes increasingly dangerous if left untreated, especially since it is usually found in areas of your home that you don't see every day (like under carpets and inside walls). The best way to prevent toxic mold is to control the humidity in your home by investing in a few quality dehumidifiers during the summer months.

Call SOS for referrals to reputable, licensed, bonded and insured companies that can help you with these mold issues (labs to test your home’s mold levels, licensed plumbers to complete needed plumbing repairs, or if you need a reputable water restoration company when water damage is found). Call 1-888-589-1868 to speak with our customer service coordinators or fill out an online service request form.