Posted August 3, 2010 by

MOLD...The Ugly Truth.

Mold is a fungus that grows in areas with a significant amount of moisture. Mold can cause serious damage to your home as well as your health. Mold is not always easy to detect as it often can be found hiding in your walls and floors. Here are few tips on how to detect if your home has mold.

 

Any carpet that has experienced any water damage of has been exposed to high levels of humidity are the perfect place for mold to begin growing. To check your carpet simply lift up a small section and check to see the texture underneath. If mold is present the texture will be cottony, velvety, granular, or leathery. Mold can come in a variation of colors such as red, black, green and purple. In addition to lifting up the carpet you can have a professional come in and have the home tested. This can be quite expensive so would be recommended as a last resort. The best and easiest way to test for mold is to see and smell it. Mold's favorite place to grow is the bathrooms, kitchens, and basements. Check any area in the home where a lot of moisture is present. Mold usually carries a musky odor and pretty easy to detect.

 

Once mold infests your home is can be a very expensive to clean up and many home insurance companies are denying mold claims. Mold can cause strong allergic reactions in many people. It has also been linked to neurological effects and can affect people who have vulnerable immune systems such as young children or the elderly. Mold infestation can also affect the value of your home. If mold has not been cleaned properly it could make a make a home inhabitable.

 

So, make sure to keep your eyes open and your nose alert for any musty smells, and if you think you might have a mold issue just follow these simple steps for detection.

 

For all your home buying, selling, or leasing needs please email me at laura@rogershealy.com