How to Check a Room for Mold

Mold loves damp conditions.

Checking for mold is an important part of keeping a house clean. Mold grows in cool, damp conditions and is a sign that the moisture content in a house is too high. If you find mold in your home, you need to stop any leaks or excess moisture, add better ventilation or invest in a dehumidifier. Mold can cause respiratory problems and other conditions if it is inhaled.

Things You'll Need

• Mold test kit

Instructions

1. Inspect areas where mold is likely to grow. Mold thrives in cool, damp conditions, such as those around pipes, in bathrooms and kitchens, and in basements or crawl spaces.

2. Look for spots of discoloration on the walls, floor and ceiling. Mold comes in nearly any color and can grow in a solid mass or spots. Some mold is thick, fuzzy or hairy while other mold is smoother.

3. Smell the air in the room. Mold has a musty or earthy smell. If you can detect an aroma like this you can trace it back to its origin.

4. Examine your home for water damage. Water damage encourages mold growth even in rooms that are not normally susceptible. Repair the water leak and remove all moisture to prevent mold from growing.

5. Use a mold test kit to check for mold. These tests are not as accurate as professional lab tests, but they can help you determine whether or not you have mold and, if you do have mold, what type you have. Use plate tests, which check for airborne spores that fall into the plate; air quality kits; or visual kits, which test mold that you can see.

References

• University of Minnesota Extension; Molds - Your Safe Home; Wanda Olson; 2006
• University of Texas; Mold in My Room, What Do I Do?;
• CMHC: Fighting Mold -- The Home Owner's Guide
• Startremodeling.com: DIY Mold Test Kits