There are nearly scientific ways to find out if mold or the creation of it–is nearby. The following mold symptoms are fail-safe ways to identify if the buildup is just within reach. If you’re not much of sneezer and suddenly you find out that you’re sneezing more often in a particular section of a house or a room–changes, are there’s something going on with the moisture situation in your abode.

By far, this is the top-of-the-line mold symptoms to watch out for when checking for that moist-sucking growth in any area of your property. Runny or clogged nostrils, as you can imagine, are related mold symptoms worthy of your watch. They are a by-product of the impending doom, which, if left unchecked, can cause sickness around the house.

The more advanced mold symptoms are coughing and along with it, an escalating nasal discharge coming from you and your loved ones. As you can see, you don’t even have to look for the location of the buildup. Mold symptoms are enough to give you precious clues to ward off an unsightly growth that easily leads to allergies.

Watery eyes are likewise mold symptoms that can point to the same culprit. However, it’s still quite possible that dust may be the leading cause of all the minor inconveniences taking place around the house. So at this point in your growing investigation, it’s probably a great idea to start scouting for possible breeding grounds in your abode. Windows, door corners, walls, and wall cracks are the best nesting grounds for that buildup that looks like a cross between a spider web and a silkworm project.

When you or your child’s skin is getting unusually dry despite the presence of and the full-functioning of an HVAC system–prevalent mold symptoms are indicative that the situation has definitely escalated. Molds are easy to eradicate. However, these buildups are also easy to miss by virtue of their coloring and chameleon-like virtues.

Stay ahead of the game by always keeping your home spic and span with either cleaning nooks and crannies regularly or getting a regular cleaning service. Don’t let the situation escalate to the point where you can almost smell the molds or feel it literally growing. Let mold symptoms guide you in anticipating the growth of an almost invisible enemy that thrives on too much moisture around the house.

Leaking water pipes or flash floods are the main culprits that lead to water damage. This leads to the formation of mold if you do not take remedial action immediately. Unfortunately, most individuals do not realize health risks that mold causes such as eye & throat irritation, wheezing, coughing, skin irritation and nasal stuffiness. Molds thrive in humid, damp, and warm conditions, and reproduce and spread by making spores, which have the ability to survive in harsh weather conditions. Therefore, it is important that you search your home for mold growth and eradicate them as quickly as possible before they start spreading.

Where to search for mold growth
Some of the typical places where mold thrives include:
• Shower tiles and bathtubs in bathrooms that lack proper ventilation
• Toilets and sinks
• Floors and walls, especially areas affected by flooding or by leaking concealed water supply pipes
• On and under the kitchen water sink
• Exposed food kept in the pantry, particularly those that have passed their expiry date
• Windows and windowsills
• Air conditioner vents and water disposal trays
• Curtains, carpets, and upholstery
• Behind walls and ceilings

If you notice a musty smell in your room, you can rest assured that it is due to mold infestation.

First step
Your air conditioner also functions like a dehumidifier. However, it cannot function properly if dust chokes its condenser coils and filter. Therefore, you should clean them immediately. Take this opportunity to inspect the water collection tray beneath the air conditioner and check if the water outlet is clogged. If necessary, remove the debris from the outlet with a stiff metal wire.

The carpet
Your carpet is extremely venerable to mold, especially if it has been damp for an extended period, either due to flooding or due to a leak in the floor underneath. You can be sure that it contains mold if you notice black, white, or various shapes of green colored patches on its surface. It is a good idea to lift the carpet and look for the presence of mold beneath the carpet. Examine the floor beneath the carpet for traces of dampness.

Eradicating mold
You may try removing mold by rubbing the affected area with a mild solution of bleach. However, you might damage the carpet if you are not careful, as the water-soluble dyes they contain can bleed from one area to the other, damaging the carpet permanently. You might damage the paint on your walls if you are not careful while cleaning them. Instead of attempting the cleaning task yourself, contact a professional agency to deal with water damage and mold-related problems and fix them.