How to Identify Mold & Mildew in a House
Mold and mildew are fungi that grow in moist environments. Mold and mildew grow on organic materials, showers, walls, fabrics and other surfaces. Mold and mildew can be found in homes, and identifying their presence is the first step in addressing the situation and removing them. Certain conditions like a moist environment with little fresh air or circulation increase the likelihood of having mold in your home. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Look for any obvious mold or mildew that is easily visible. Mold or mildew can be a variety of colors (white, orange, black, etc.). No matter what the color, you should be able to see a difference in the texture on the surface that is contaminated. Look for a variation in substance or color on top of the surface you are inspecting.
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Inspect areas of suspected mold and mildew growth. Pay particular attention to areas that have little ventilation, are generally damp and are near water sources. Look closely for discoloration or texture changes.
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Look at every surface in each room. Mold or mildew can grow on the ceiling, floor, wall, carpet, clothes, appliances and more.
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Move furniture away from the wall and carpet to see if mold has developed where you cannot see it normally. For instance, if your bed is flush against a wall, you should pull the bed out a little to view the wall behind or beside it.
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Use a flashlight to help illuminate areas that your normal light sources do not shine on. It's important to look in dark areas because you may not be aware of mold or mildew growing there, and these areas provide ideal growing conditions for mold or mildew.
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Test clean areas of suspected mold or mildew, using a sponge to wipe the area. Mold or mildew infected areas will dirty the sponge, and you should be able to see the infected area without mold or mildew where you have wiped with the sponge.
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Smell areas that you think may have mold or mildew. Mold and mildew are typically odorous, and you might smell them before you see them.
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Inspect appliances like humidifiers and air conditioners for mold or mildew. These appliances use water, and the presence of moisture increases the likelihood of mold.
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