Whether used for storage or recreation, your basement is always at risk of mold. Water damage caused by storms, floods, and clogged gutters causes mold. Since mold thrives in dark, humid environments, your basement is the perfect location. If left untreated, mold can cause structural damage to your home and worsen respiratory illness. This is why utilizing the services of a mold remediation company is necessary.
These are the top five signs of basement mold (and why you’re probably missing them).
1. Black Spots
Mold comes in all sorts of colors and textures. However, most molds come in black spots or patches. Unfortunately, this is often confused with other types of fungal growth or dirt. As such, homeowners may not easily recognize mold or dismiss it as something else.
Often, these black spots are found on floorboards, drywall, and behind furniture. If you’re not visiting your basement often, it can be easy to overlook these black spots and patches…which is why recognizing this next sign is so important:
2. Musky Odors
So, you may be thinking that this is an obvious sign of mold. And you’re right. But don’t underestimate how easy it is to miss this common sign. Over time, our noses adjust to the odors inside our homes. It’s very possible that you may be so used to smelling musty odors that it doesn’t register as strange.
If you want to check for mold in your basement, always get a second nose to sniff the property. It may sound funny, but having someone else who isn’t adjusted to your home’s odors can help you quickly identify rooms with mold growth.
3. Mugginess
Mold is attracted to wet, humid environments. As noted above, this makes your basement perfect for mold growth. However, your home’s ventilation system should be able to keep your home cool. If you notice that your basement is abnormally warm or stuffy, it could be a sign of mold growth.
When a home’s ventilation system is broken, it causes moisture and humidity to build up. All this does is accelerate mold growth in rooms that are most at risk. So if your basement recently suffered a flood and is exposed to a warm environment, mold will grow in as little as 24 hours.
4. New Health Conditions and/or Symptoms
That new cough you developed. Is it caused by springtime allergies or mold? Mold causes several health issues, including but not limited to the following symptoms:
- Nasal congestion
- Coughing and wheezing/sneezing
- Itchy and watery eyes
- Shortness of breath
- Headaches
- Chest tightness
- Fatigue
Mold can trigger allergies and worsen respiratory conditions such as asthma, too. Mold even causes insomnia and depression.
If you notice an onset of symptoms (like the ones listed above), you may have a mold problem. Keep track of when you develop these symptoms. If your bedroom is in the finished basement, have you started suffering from insomnia? Do your eyes start itching every time you visit the basement? If the symptoms only persist in the basement, then it’s likely because of a mold allergy or exposure.
5. Your Wall is Damp
As previously discussed, mold develops after being exposed to water. As such, you may have a mold problem if your walls are damp to the touch. This is usually a sign that there is mold growing behind your drywall. This kind of mold issue requires the help of a skilled mold remediation professional.
Why Hire a Mold Remediation Company?
If you have mold, you need to hire a mold remediation company. Let’s say you have mold inside your walls. How do you treat it? A mold restoration company has the tools needed to remove drywall and insulation to kill mold at the source. Chances are you don’t have the tools or resources necessary to complete this. By hiring an experienced mold removal company, you’re taking the guesswork out of doing it yourself.
This is especially true considering how many types of mold there are. Portland homes suffer from six types of common mold. Treating them requires unique skills and knowledge that only mold removal professionals possess.
Do You Have Mold in Your Basement? The Mold Remediation Team at PNW Restoration Can Help
Finding mold in your basement is a problem, but treating it shouldn’t be one. At PNW Restoration, our team has years of experience finding and treating mold. We take pride in helping Portland residents take back their homes from an unexpected mold problem.
Basements are crucial to your home’s stability. Don’t let them suffer from a mold infestation. Call the mold remediation professionals at PNW Restoration today. We can be reached at 971-247-3470.
