Friday, November 16, 2018

If you’ve been a victim of recent flooding or have a leakage problem in your home, you could be susceptible to mold. Here are some ways to tell if mold has infiltrated your home:

A musty smell. If mold is hidden away in your house somewhere, a moldy smell might be your only clue. Don’t ignore the odor just because you can’t see the mold, as the problem may get worse.

A patch of ‘dirt.’ You might mistake mold for soot or grime, so carefully inspect the ‘dirt.’ Even a small patch of mold should be handled right away before it spreads; or it could be a sign of a larger, hidden area of mold somewhere else.

An odd discoloration. You might overlook a discolored area as something harmless when it's actually mold. Some mold can appear white and thread-like; other variations can be gray-brown or gray-green. Mold that grows behind wallpaper made of vinyl can even be orange, pink or purple.

Chronic water issues. If you have recurring leakage problems in your home, there’s a good chance you have mold. So if you have water stains on walls, floors or ceilings, or bubbling, peeling or cracking paint, be sure to check for mold.

Use a mold test kit to accurately check for mold or call in a professional if you’re unsure. Mold can cause a range of health issues from mild to serious, so be sure to treat it expediently.

RISMedia welcomes your questions and comments. Send your e-mail to: realestatemagazinefeedback@rismedia.com