Suspicious that there is mold growth in your apartment? Mold can grow anywhere if it finds suitable conditions. The risk of mold rises if your apartment or area was affected by a flood, there was a leak anywhere in the apartment, there is poor ventilation, or you live in a humid region. Therefore, below are some signs of mold in an apartment or condo, so you can consider mold removal if required.
Signs Of Mold In An Apartment
Musty Smell
Mold emits a musty, earthy smell, and when it grows to a certain extent, this smell becomes noticeable in the apartment. You should follow your nose and if you notice this smell, there may be mold in your condo.
This sign is a common yet critical one because mold can grow in hard-to-see spaces, such as in the ductwork, under the carpets, behind the wallpaper, behind the drywall, etc., so this smell will give away that mold is growing in your space.
Visible Mold Spots
This is the visible sign of mold. It means the mold has grown significantly already to be visible. You may see grey, yellow, green, brown, or black spots on surfaces. Sometimes, the spots may be powdery, which shows it’s mildew. It’s a type of mold.
If you have visible mold in your condo and apartment, you will also sense the musty smell of mold, which will mean they are mold spots, not regular stains. Visible mold can be anywhere too, but the likely areas for mold growth in an apartment are bathrooms, kitchens, window and door frames, etc.
Another sign of mold spots is that they grow over time and you may see multiple spots in the space.
You can’t remove mold by wiping it because it will come back. Similarly, painting on top of it is of no use as well because it can penetrate the new layer of paint too. So, consider professional mold cleanup options.
Peeling Or Bubbling Paint Or Wallpaper
Peeling or bubbling paint may be because of a poor painting job or a bad wallpaper installation, but it’s also a sign of a leak, a moisture issue, high humidity, or poor ventilation. Any of these problems can lead to mold growth if they are not fixed quickly.
An alarming aspect is that many of the mentioned issues can go undetected, even a leak if it’s minor, so when you notice the peeling paint or spots on the wall or ceiling, mold growth is already more than just minor. A ceiling leak is common in apartments, so be vigilant.
Remember that removing mold won’t be of use if you don’t fix the source of the problem that led to the mold growth in the first place. If you don’t fix the main issue, mold will come up again even after professional mold cleanup.
For example, if mold was growing due to poor ventilation and you removed mold without improving the ventilation in your space, then it will only be a matter of time before mold grows back in the same space. So, contact your landlord and show them photos of the problem.
Water Stains On The Wall
Apart from peeling or bubbling paint, you may see water stains or discoloration on the walls or ceiling. This is also a sign of water damage and mold. So, look for the cause of the water stain and fix it before inspecting for mold growth and its removal.
Soft Or Warping Drywall
Soft or warped drywall is the more serious version of peeling paint because it means the water damage is extensive. It has penetrated and affected the drywall and the wood studs, and the insulation may be affected by the water or moisture as well. Moreover, due to the moisture, there can be mold in there as well.
If you notice bulged or soft drywall, don’t wait for it to get worse and consult a water damage restoration Potomac expert or inform the landlord.
A Past Incident Of A Water Leak Or Flooding
A prime cause of mold is flooding. If there was recently a flood, even if the water has dried, there is a risk of mold. Mold is a common occurrence in flood-affected homes and buildings because it provides them with ideal conditions for growth. And if the area was not dried properly, the risk of mold growth increases.
Similarly, if there was a water leakage in the past and it was fixed, there is still a possibility of mold growth. So, you should inspect your apartment and look for other signs of mold mentioned here.
Unusual Dirt Or Stains On The HVAC Filter
If you see anything unusual on the HVAC filter apart from regular dust and debris, it may be mold. There may also be unusual dirt (mold) on or near the vents and inside the air ducts.
Mold in the HVAC system is bad for your health because you’re breathing moldy air and it’s also hindering the performance of the unit, so you may experience ineffective heating or cooling or higher energy bills. If you want to make sure it’s mold, you can use a DIY mold testing kit.
Remember that mold in the HVAC is more harmful for the health of the residents because the fan blower is blowing mold spores in the house with the conditioned air. So, remedy this quickly by informing the landlord.
Health Issues
Mold spores are airborne, so they can cause health issues even if the mold, in the wall for example, doesn’t come in contact with you directly. People with allergies, asthma, children, and older adults may experience symptoms more quickly. However, everyone else in the apartment might experience health and respiratory issues as well, like irritated eyes, nose, and throat, headaches, fatigue, cough, sneezing, etc.
Mold exposure for longer durations can create a lot of health problems, so remedy this quickly.
Discolored Tiles Or Grout
This is a common sign of mold in bathrooms with tiles. Bathrooms are moist areas, so mold can grow if there is poor ventilation. It can be behind any fixtures, in the corners, on the walls, or on the ceiling. A common area for mold growth is the grout lines of tiles. You may notice the grout is discolored. It may be black, dark brown, or green.
You can check if it’s mold by using a bit of bleach on the grout line. If you see that the discoloration disappears in 10-15 minutes, it’s mold. But if it stays, it’s something else.
Moldy Furniture
If the furniture is near a wall or a spot where mold is growing, it can also be affected by mold. So, when looking for signs of mold, check the furniture, carpets, and other nooks and crannies of the apartment.
Conclusion
Mold can be anywhere in your apartment or condo if it finds the right conditions, so look for these signs. If you notice mold signs, contact your landlord. If you have a condo, then you should get in touch with a mold remediation Silver Spring service.
