How to Test and Check For Mold at Home

Mold at home can be very noticeable visually and by smell, but by doing a simple routine maintenance check, you can diagnose what type of mold is currently living in your house. What does mold look like? Mold is a type of fungus that makes up various forms and textures of white, black, yellow, blue, or even green. It can spread across the surface or even float in the air, making it troublesome to deal with. There are different seriousness of mold, so we wrote a helpful blog to help test and check for mold and mildew at home. 

Testing for Mold or Dirt

Mold can be mistaken dirt. First, beginning testing by merely dabbing a couple of drops of household bleach on the mold and waiting around a couple of minutes to see if anything changes. If the color begins to lighten up, you have mildew, which needs to be taken care of right away. If it remains black, it’s most likely dirt and needs to be scrubbed off. 

Plumbing Leaks

Noticed your water bill had been continually increasing over the past few months? Well, mold could add more problems from the plumbing leaks, which can be a headache as mold feeds off moisture, so if you noticed any damp spots around the water pipes or plumbing fixtures, then have them properly cleaned up.

Check for Outside Leaks

Just when you think you have it covered checking for mold inside, it’s just as important to check the outside for potential leaks as well. Mold can grow from the siding, ceiling, and windows (also inside). We recommend having a local roofing contractor inspect the roof flashing and shingles to ensure it has been installed properly and that it is not exposed from the water from getting inside. 

Kitchens and Bathrooms

Two of the most common rooms can have trapped moisture around the surfaces if not adequately ventilated. While many homeowners will use household products like bleach or soap (yes, it is very common), these substances are not made to kill mold, so if you did remove mold off the surface, it is most likely still there and will come back in a few months and grow bigger with a vengeance! 

Mold can be very hazardous to a person’s health. Not wearing the appropriate protection or use the right equipment can actually make things worse, leaving your home more exposed to mold particles and cause more danger to your family and loved ones. Bay State Mold Removal team is here to help. No matter how big or small the mold is, we will make sure to get rid of the mold for good so you and your loved ones can live a healthier life mold-free. Call today to learn more about our mold removal services. 

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