Like most fungi, molds break down organic material in the environment. They can appear in virtually all areas that contain moisture and animal or plant matter, and have a nasty tendency to infest our homes, damage our belongings, and even make us sick. 

Since mold remediation can cost a pretty penny, property buyers and sellers are highly advised to have houses and apartments tested for mold by a registered mold inspector in San Diego before proceeding with the buying deal or having the place listed on the real estate market. 

Keep reading to learn more about what causes mold infestations and what you can do about them.

What causes molds in the house?

Mold spores are everywhere. Since they can’t thrive in dry and sunny areas, these spores prefer places that are dark, moist, and humid. In most homes, a few mold spots can be found in bathrooms, basement, and kitchen. Apart from looking ugly, these minor mold colonies shouldn’t be harmful to people’s health. 

However, in homes that don’t get enough fresh air, aren’t cleaned properly or regularly, or are located in damp or humid regions, mold can quickly multiply and spread to other parts of the house. If not addressed, these mold infestations can damage both your health and your property. 

Mold infestations can also occur as a result of accidents. Spilling a drink on the carpet or a rug and letting the fabric stay wet for an extended period of time runs the risk of the carpet or rug becoming moldy. Furthermore, any major source of moisture can also cause a mold infestation. 

Common sources of moisture include:

• Damp crawl spaces and basements
• Leaky roofs
• Humidifiers
• Improper or malfunctioning ventilation of cooking and heating appliances
• Outdoor drainage issues
• Condensation on cold surfaces
• Leaking plumbing
• Wet clothes inside the house (indoor drying)
• Water steam from the kitchen or bathroom
• Letting a clothes dryer vent indoors

What do you do if you have mold in your house?

Want to hear something scary? Advanced mold damage can cost as much as $10,000 to fix! As if that wasn’t bad enough, most insurance carriers refuse to cover the cost of mold removal. At the same time, you don’t really have a choice since mold can seriously endanger your health. 

Here’s how to deal with a mold infestation:

• Call in an expert. Unfortunately, if there are already large areas of mold in your house, you’ll likely have to outsource the removal to a specialist.
• Attempt to clean it yourself. If the infestation isn’t extensive, you may be able to stop it from spreading by thoroughly cleaning the surfaces using a diluted bleach solution or an appropriate cleaning product. Try to keep these surfaces as dry as possible in the future. 
• Wipe or wash porous surfaces and check them frequently to make sure the mold hasn’t returned. If mold keeps coming back, it’s best to replace these items. 
• Use antifungal paints and similar products that can prevent or at least make it more difficult for mold to appear in the first place. 

Where can I hire a dependable mold inspector in San Diego?

Are you thinking of purchasing a lovely home in Marston Hills, but you’re concerned it may be suffering from a mold infestation? Or maybe you’ve noticed some strange smells in your house lately, and you suspect mold could be the culprit? 

Whatever your situation may be, don’t hesitate to give the Inspectors Company a call. We specialize in providing the good people of San Diego with the full range of home inspection services, including mold, roofing, pool & spa, sewer line, and septic tank inspections. Contact us today. 

Mold is a type of fungi that reproduces through airborne spores and thrives anywhere where there is moisture. Due to its hardiness and ability to grow on nearly any surface, mold can be found in almost all parts of the world.

And yes, you can probably find some mold in your home as well. Chances are, it grows in or around your bathtub, on your washing machine or sponge, or on your basement walls. Although mold isn’t harmful in small amounts, an infestation can severely compromise your indoor air quality and cause you to get sick. 

If you suspect your house or apartment may be suffering from a mold infestation, it’s highly advised that you book a San Diego mold inspection immediately. Failing to clean up the mold properly may cause you and your loved ones to develop mold-related health problems. Read on to learn more. 

Can you get sick from mold in your house?

The more mold there is in your house, the more spores it releases into the air, and the more likely you are to breathe in these spores in large amounts. This can result in all sorts of nasty symptoms, including blurred vision, chronic cough, irritated eyes, sinus and nasal congestion, and more. 

Here are the top 3 ways mold can endanger your health:

1. Your coffee maker could be contaminated

According to recent studies, your coffeemaker may be the 5th dirtiest thing in your home. Apparently, more than 50% of all coffeemakers in American homes have mold, bacteria, or yeast growing inside their reservoir. This can literally make your coffee mildly poisonous.

2. Black mold destroys your indoor air quality

Black mold tends to grow in areas of your house that are especially damp, humid, and warm. It often appears on drywall, wood, insulation, and wet paper. In addition to causing wheezing and coughing in otherwise healthy individuals, it can also cause children to develop asthma later in life.

3. It may be eating through your carpets

With enough moisture, area rugs can become the perfect breeding ground for mold. Carpet mold not only produces an endless supply of allergens, irritans, and possibly even toxins, it can also irreparably damage your floor coverings and even the floor underneath them. 

What are signs of mold in your house?

Luckily for all of us, it’s often possible to detect a mold infestation before it can seriously affect our health and comfort. 

Here are some common signs:

• Your asthma gets worse for no apparent reason
• Dark grout between your bathroom tiles (especially in the shower)
• You have constant sneezing fits and a perpetually runny nose
• Strange smells coming out of your HVAC system
• Your seasonal allergies don’t seem to go away
• There’s a musty smell in some areas of your home
• Peeling or cracking walls
• You’re constantly feeling tired
• Your toilet or one of your sinks recently flooded
• You’re feeling itchier than usual
• There are colored or dark spots on your walls and ceilings

Where can I schedule an in-depth San Diego mold inspection?

It doesn’t matter if you live in Shelter Island or at the very heart of San Diego: any home can get moldy. Even if you haven’t encountered any obvious signs of a mold infestation, it’s highly advised that you have any piece of real estate you’re thinking of purchasing or selling inspected for mold just to make sure.

As the premium provider of mold inspection services in San Diego, Inspectors Company boasts the skill, the experience, and the state-of-the-art equipment necessary to render truly first-rate property inspection services. Reach out to us today.