Mold Smell: 5 Key Signs Your Home Has a Mold Problem

There are about 1,000 different types of mold found in the United States. This is a small percentage of the more than 100,000 mold species that are found worldwide. 

Our homes are prime places for mold to start growing. But that doesn't mean you automatically have mold. In addition to mold smell, here are five signs that your home has a mold problem. 

1. You Have Watery Eyes 

Many people have allergic reactions to the mold in their environment. This can manifest with watery, itchy, or stinging eyes. You may also have an accompanying cough or congestion. 

If you suspect that your physical symptoms are the cause of mold, then track your symptoms for a few weeks. Keep a notebook of when and where you experience each symptom. You may find that there are individual rooms you have more severe symptoms in, and this is a sign of mold. 

2. Bubbling Paint 

check the paint in your bathroom or near your windows. These are the most common areas where the paint will begin to bubble in your walls from the increased moisture. When there's a buildup of moisture, mold tends to grow. 

To fix this problem, you'll need to address the excess moisture issue. Then clean the existing mold. Finally, you can clean the wall, remove the old paint, and apply fresh paint. 

3. Recent Flooding or Water Leak 

If you've recently experienced a water leak or flooding, then it's likely you have some mold growth in your home. Mold loves moisture, and it especially loves warm, moist places. This is essentially the environment in your home. 

Start looking in the places where the water was present the longest. You'll need to look under the flooring and in the walls. Mold will grow in the most unexpected and hidden away dark corners of your home. 

4. Condensation

If you notice condensation in your home, then this is a clear sign of moisture buildup. This excess moisture means that mold is likely to grow. The most common place condensation appears is on metal pipes or windows. 

The presence of condensation means that the humidity in your home is high. You can combat this by replacing your old HVAC system. Or you could use a dehumidifier for a more localized problem. 

5. Mold Smell

Do you walk into a room and smell a dank, earthy smell? Then you likely have a mold issue in the room. Some people describe the smell similar to dirty socks or rotting wood. 

Different kinds of mold can smell differently, and mold can smell differently to different people. If you experience weird smells, it's well worth the mold inspection cost to locate the source. 

Find and Address Your Mold Issue 

If you think you have a mold smell issue, then start looking for these other signs of mold. This could be health problems your family is experiencing or moisture issues within your home. 

Check out the home design section of our blog for more articles to help you create a beautiful home.