Over 100,000 species of mold exist on this planet. While many do not harm us, some of the types that grow indoors do pose a health risk.
Plus, this rapidly growing fungus can quickly cause major damage to your home. For this reason, you need to keep mold out of your home.
Read on to learn four signs that you need EMMA Mycotoxin Testing.
1. Water Damage
If you notice signs of water damage, you should test for mold as well. Though a leaky pipe or flood does not come from mold, mold will quickly grow in spaces where the spores find moisture.
Signs of water damage include:
- Visible floods, leaks, or wet spots
- Brown or yellow rings on the ceiling or floor
- Cracking, bubbling, or flaking paint
- A bulge in the ceiling
- Higher than usual utility bills with no other explanation
If you see any of these signs, clean up the water quickly as it can create more expensive damage and it will attract mold if it did not already. Testing for toxic mold will ensure nothing that will harm your family secretly grows in hiding.
2. Visible Mold
Mold growth may look different depending on the species growing. You might see spots on the wall that appear black, brown, grey, green, reddish, or white.
Some molds look fuzzy and splotchy. Other types may appear slimy and drippy. If you see mold on the walls, floor, or your belongings, chances are that a lot more is growing where you cannot see it, like beneath the carpet or behind walls.
When you see these patches, you should test for toxigenic molds. It may change the degree of clean-up to remove all spores from your home.
3. Funky Smell
Does your home smell funny? Molds often produce distinct smells from the microbial volatile organic compounds (mVOC) that they release into the air.
As you might guess, if they put these compounds into the air, then you can breathe them into your lungs. This means you should call for EMMA mycotoxin testing and mold remediation.
What does mold smell like? It can smell:
- Stale and musty, like dirty socks
- Damp, like a wet dog
- Rotting and fermenting, like rotten fruit
- Earthy, like a forest after rainfall
Some people let it go in an attic or basement, thinking those places simply smell that way. They should not ever smell like mold.
4. Unexplained Illness
If anybody in the house falls ill inexplicably, it could come from mold. It may infect some people and not others due to different immune systems or where in the home the mold is growing.
Mold poison symptoms include:
- Dry and scaly skin
- Itching
- Coughing
- Sneezing and runny nose
For people with asthma, it can trigger serious attacks. Test for mold if anybody continues to experience these symptoms.
Opt For EMMA Mycotoxin Testing
Mold colonies continue to grow at a fast and rapid pace when they find moisture and the nutrients they need. Do not let them turn your home into a petri dish.
Get EMMA Mycotoxin Testing to decide on your next move. You may even choose to stay elsewhere until the professionals complete the mold remediation, depending on the test results.
We want to keep your home safe from fungi. Reach out to us to set up testing for your home.