Mold Alert! What’s Lurking in Your Home (And How It Got There)

Ever wondered what kind of mold might be hiding in your home—and how it even got there in the first place? Let’s break it down in a way that won’t make your eyes glaze over (we promise).

Meet the Moldy Usual Suspects

The two most common indoor molds that can cause real trouble for your health are:

🟢 Penicillium
🟣 Aspergillus

These tiny troublemakers thrive in damp environments and love to set up camp in places like bathrooms, basements, or anywhere with water leaks or poor ventilation.

How Outdoor Mold Sneaks Inside

Even if you’re a clean freak, outdoor molds like Alternaria, Fusarium, Helminthosporium, and Cladosporium can hitch a ride indoors. They float in through open windows or sneak in on your shoes, clothes, or even your furry friends.

Common Causes of Mold Growth

Here’s what gives mold the green light to grow indoors:

• 💧 Water leaks

• 🚿 Poor plumbing

• 🚫 Bad ventilation

• 🏚️ General home disrepair

Think of mold as that unwanted houseguest who only needs a damp towel and a little neglect to move right in.

How Do You Know If You Have Mold?

This is where it gets tricky. Mold assessment can be confusing—and there are plenty of companies out there promising expensive "mold inspections" and cleanups. But real testing varies and includes:

• 🧫 Petri dishes (left out for a few days to catch spores)

• 🌬️ Air sampling

• 🧹 Dust collection

Each method has its pros and cons, and results can vary depending on where and how testing is done.

Bottom Line?

Mold is sneaky, but knowledge is power. Stay ahead by keeping your home dry, well-ventilated, and in good repair. And if you’re worried about allergies or asthma flaring up, ask your doctor if mold could be part of the puzzle.

Want help figuring out if mold might be affecting your family’s health? Book an appointment below—we’re here to clear the air!