With winter coming to a close, it’s exciting to enjoy spring’s warm weather, beautiful flowers, and fresh air again. While there are many pleasant features to enjoy this season, it helps to remember that the change of season can also bring home unwelcome guests, like mold spores and allergies.

The temperature and humidity changes can introduce humidity to your home again, making it susceptible to mold. The constant rainfall and condensation can expedite its growth, requiring you to hire home mold remediation.

Mold growing inside your home may leave unsightly stains on your walls and ceilings. More importantly, mold infestation compromises indoor air quality and creates health hazards that can affect you and everyone living with you.

The peak of “mold season” may be upon us, but with the right preventative measures, you can protect your property and ensure a healthy atmosphere. Let’s dive deeper into mold spores and allergies in springtime, plus some pointers for responding to mold during your spring cleaning.

Mold Activity During Spring

Molds multiply through spores, their unicellular reproductive structures. They typically spread when a mold source is disturbed, as even a slight motion can send the spores into the air.

Mold naturally occurs in the environment and grows on organic matter, such as dead leaves. What’s essential to note is that while it loves warm and humid conditions, the low temperatures during winter won’t kill it. Outdoor molds simply become inactive during the colder months. Once spring comes around and the right temperature and humidity is present, spores can begin growing again.

How to Tell if You Have Indoor Mold

Mold can exhibit visible signs, but not all cases of contamination are visible. Some infestations can be difficult to spot, especially if they occur within walls, floors, and ceilings. Fortunately, there are other signs to follow to determine if you are dealing with indoor mold.

Visible Growth

A mold problem can present itself as visible patches of grey, black, or white on your surfaces. However, obvious growths usually indicate that the contamination has already progressed. Experts are needed to inspect the affected areas and perform the necessary mold restoration solutions.

Musty Smell

Mold releases chemicals called microbial volatile organic compounds or MVOCs during their life cycle, which give off a musty smell. If you notice a musty odor inside your home, it’s likely that mold is present.

Recent Water Damage

While not necessarily a sign of indoor mold, water damage inadequately addressed can promote microbial growth. Rooms or items in your home that recently came into contact with water or excessive moisture can become breeding grounds for mold, so getting them checked and restored is advisable.

Allergies and Respiratory Symptoms

Respiratory issues that appear or worsen when you’re inside your home can point to indoor mold. If you notice frequent sneezing, coughing, headache, or fatigue that persists beyond spring, it’s time to consider enlisting professional inspection and mold restoration.

Symptoms of A Mold Allergy

During spring, it may not only be dust that’s triggering your allergies. Mold may be hiding behind your walls and floors, exposing you to allergens and irritants without you knowing.

Mold allergy can look just like any other allergic reaction. If you are experiencing these symptoms mostly in your home, consider getting professional home mold remediation sooner rather than later:

• Itching or irritation in the nose, eyes, or throat
• Sneezing
• Stuffy or runny nose
• Coughing or wheezing
• Headaches

It’s also worth noting that mold exposure can cause an immediate reaction in some individuals and delayed symptoms in others. Finally, it’s also possible to experience symptoms due to mold exposure, even if you aren’t allergic to mold. Mold is not only an allergen but also an irritant, and spores that make their way into your nose, sinuses, and lungs can cause health issues.

The best way to keep yourself and your loved ones safe from mold is to reduce your exposure and address the contamination.

What To Do When You Discover Mold During Your Spring Cleaning

As you clean every nook and cranny of your home, you may discover more unwanted guests besides dust and dirt. If you do find mold colonies growing on your walls, ceilings, and even stored items, here are some pointers to remember:

• Address the source of moisture first. Attempts to remove the mold will be futile if the source of moisture isn’t addressed first. In cases where a leaky pipe caused water damage and the resulting microbial growth, repair the leak before anything else.
• If you have mold allergies or a respiratory condition, it’s best to entrust the home mold remediation to professionals, no matter how minor the contamination.
• Professional intervention is also recommended if you already have visible mold or a strong musty odor inside your house. These are often signs that mold contamination has progressed.

Finally, remember that the goal is to remove the mold, not simply cover it up. Failing to remove it to its source will only lead to recurring contaminations. As a result, you may end up with prolonged health issues and a larger mold damage restoration project.