We have all heard of mold causing issues for people and their households. However, many of us still wonder: How do you know if your house has mold? Mold in your home can lead to very serious health complications. Knowing how to identify the signs of mold in your house and how to protect you and your family if there is a mold problem in your house.
When mold is left undetected and untreated, it may not only mean health issues for you and any others living in the house but also may lead to structural damage as well. It is always best to address the issue as soon as possible if you suspect there is mold in your home.
In this article, we will look at what causes mold to grow, how to identify mold in your house, and how a toxic mold attorney can help if you have suffered health issues from toxic mold exposure. Toxic mold can be
What Is Mold?
Molds are different types of fungi that tend to grow in warm, humid, and wet environments and can be toxic to the environment around them. These molds can grow inside or outside as long as the conditions are right.
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the most common types of mods found growing in homes are Cladosporium, Penicillium, and Aspergillus. These may be the most common but there are thousands of different types of mold that can develop indoors.
Mold can enter your household through various pathways including:
- Doors
- Windows
- Vents
- Heating and air conditioning systems
Some molds can even be brought in unknowingly by people or pets when it attaches to clothing, shoes, or fur. No matter how this toxic invader gets into your home, make sure you know how to find the warning signs early and what to do if you find mold.
Health Issues That Can Arise From Toxic Mold Exposure
One of the first warning signs that you may be developing health issues from mold exposure is the development of allergy-like symptoms. Mold exposure can lead to symptoms that are very similar to those caused by allergies. People suffering from mold exposure may experience the following symptoms:
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Wheezing and difficulty breathing
- Congestion or runny nose
- Sore throat
- Watery, itchy eyes
- Sinus headaches
- Itchy, irritated skin
Pay attention to where you are when these symptoms are the most noticeable. It can be a good indicator that you have a mold problem if your symptoms are exacerbated while at home and get better when you are outside or away.
Some molds that grow in the house can become toxic and cause even more dangerous issues. Toxic molds may lead to life-threatening health problems if left untreated. People who have had prolonged exposure to toxic mold can develop:
- Internal organ damage
- Internal bleeding
- Mental impairment
- Cancer
- Death
How Do You Know If Your House Has Mold?
There are some high probability places in the house to check if you are concerned you may have a mold problem. The most common places to find mold indoors are:
- Bathrooms
- Basements
- Drywall
- Ceiling tiles
- Wallpaper
- Carpet
- Under sinks
- Behind toilets
- Around plumbing lines
Your house is especially at risk for developing a mold problem if you have recently experienced flooding, a leaking roof, or a burst pipe. The wet conditions produced by such events are ideal for mold to grow.
Warning Signs To Look For
The major issue with mold in the house is that it can lead to very problematic health issues for anyone living in the home and can contribute to structural damage. This is why it is so important to pay attention to any signs that mold may be growing in your house. The good news is that mold is often easy to identify, especially when a large growth has formed.
Key mold indicators to be on the lookout for are:
- Moldy Smell: Many molds can produce a strong, musty scent. It is sometimes compared to the smell of opening a very old book. A persistent moldy odor in the home may indicate a potential mold hazard.
- Apparent Mold Growth: Mold can come in a variety of colors and forms but some can become easy to spot when growing in large clusters. Mold can be black, white, gray-green, or gray-brown. Some molds found behind wallpaper or vinyl can even be orange, purple, or pink.
- Water Leaks: A water leak in the house can be a perfect breeding ground for mold. The problem with leaks is that they sometimes occur behind walls or in other hidden areas and may go unnoticed. Be sure to get any known leaks fixed quickly to avoid mold growth.
- Areas of Condensation: Certain areas in the house can cause condensation to build up, such as windows and metal pipes. Be sure to regularly check these areas for mold growth.
- Water Damage: Be sure to look for signs of water damage in your home. Areas, where water damage has occurred, are perfect for mold growth. Look for signs like water stains, discoloration on the wall, ceiling, or floor, or bubbling, peeling, or cracked wallpaper.
- Previous Flooding: Homes that have experienced flooding recently or in the past have a high probability of developing a mold issue. You should always check areas of your home that have been flooded before for potential mold.
What should you do if you detect mold in your house? You should schedule a professional mold inspection right away. They can do a full sweep of your house to determine just how serious your mold problem is.
It is a good idea to contact a toxic mold lawyer if you discover mold in your home but you are not the property owner. Renters should not have to pay for the cost of removing mold, repairing damages, or medical bills for mold exposure in a property they do not own.
How A Toxic Mold Lawyer Can Help
A toxic mold lawyer can help tenants recover damages suffered due to toxic mold from landlords that are refusing to pay or accept liability for toxic mold in a household.
Property owners are responsible for providing a safe and healthy residence for their tenants under Florida law. When landlords allow a mold problem to go untreated, it can not only lead to damages to their property or the property of tenants within the household but also lead to health issues for the tenants.
Property owners or landlords that refuse to address claims of toxic mold put forth by renters could be held liable for damages associated with mold exposure. A toxic mold attorney can help you seek compensation for damages such as:
- Medical expenses
- Property loss or repairs
- Loss of income
- Breach of warranty of habitability
Anyone seeking compensation for toxic mold exposure must be able to prove that the party they are filing a claim against was directly responsible for the damages they have suffered. A toxic mold lawyer can help prove liability.
Your lawyer will perform their own investigation into the case to gather all the pertinent information. Toxic mold lawyers will work to establish that the responsible party had a duty of care to provide their client with a safe living space. They will then show that this duty of care was breached either through deliberately not addressing a mold issue or being negligent in the care and upkeep of a property.
Speak With A Toxic Mold Attorney Today
If you or a loved one has been exposed to toxic mold in your house, condo, or apartment, contact the local toxic mold attorneys at Calandro Law in Riverview, Florida. Our experienced toxic mold lawyers offer expert legal guidance and are ready to help you and your loved ones in your time of need.
Our legal team will fight to get you the compensation you are owed for any damages you have suffered as a result of your mold issue. Contact us today at (813) 563-6463 to schedule a free case evaluation.