What Clues Does Mold Leave Behind in a Home?

10/18/2016 (Permalink)

There are many species and subspecies of mold common in the United States.

Clues Mold Leaves Behind

There are many species and subspecies of mold common in the United States, too many to list out at once, and this number is constantly increasing as new strains develop or are transplanted. Most molds, however, fall into a few generalizations regarding appearance and characteristics, and so there are a few signs you should be aware of indicating mold damage on your property.

Discoloration on Surfaces
If a surface has been discolored, typically with a dark green to black color or bright white patch, this may be a critical sign of a large patch of mold damage on your Englewood Cliffs property. The most common types of mold take on a green, brown, or black hue, but other types exist which may discolor patches in shades of red, blue, gray, or many more colors. Some mold may even appear at first glance to be a burned region, so you should take note of what material you've spotted the discoloration on to get a better idea of what mold it could be, or if there is mold there at all.

Unusual Smells
One of the most important indicators of mold damage in out-of-sight places is the smell many types of mold give off. Mold often releases a foul or musty odor which is tough to avoid. If you have smelled this in a part of your home but can't find the source, the mold may be growing under the floor, above the ceiling, or behind a wall.

Moisture in an Interior
A source of water is essential for mold to grow, and in your home, a noticeably humid or wet part of your home may also indicate mold growth there. Keeping water out of your home is important, in addition to potentially causing mold growth, long-term exposure to even low volumes of water can cause significant water damage in your home.

SERVPRO of Teaneck / Englewood is a locally-owned franchise with national-level resources at its disposal to help tackle even the toughest mold damage scenarios. Call us at (201) 266-0482 for 24/7 damage restoration and mitigation services.