If you

’

re suffering from inexplicable sneezing, congestion or oth

er common allergy symptoms,

the cause may be unseen mold inside your home. Mold thrives

in damp, dark places, so it should

be no surprise that most mold problems go undetected. If you

’

ve ever had significant water

damage, fire damage or smoke damage, the chances of mold li

ving in your walls or carpet are

very high. If you suspect that a fungal colony is growing i

n your home, you need a professional

inspection right away before it inflicts lasting harm on

your property and your health.

The Health Hazards of Hidden Mold

According to the CDC,

allergic reactions to mold damage

sp

ores can trigger headaches, asthma attacks

and chronic sinus complications. In worst case scenarios

, mycotoxins from specific molds like

stachybotrys chartarum can cause problems including depression,

difficulty concentrating and

even memory loss. If your symptoms are more noticeable

while you

’

re at home but improve

when you go out, it

’

s very possible that household mold is keeping you sick.

Signs of Hidden Mold

Mold often has a distinctive pungent, musty smell, but mo

ld may still be present even if you can

’

t smell or see it. People sometimes mistake small mold gro

wths for dirt or rust. Mold may appear

black, brown, white, orange and even pink or purple when it grows

behind wallpaper. Large

amounts of condensation on your windows or pipes means that t

here is a lot of moisture in the

air, which makes ideal conditions for mold growth.

The Causes of Mold

Mold needs moisture to grow, so water damage (including residua

l damage) provides a fertile

ground for fungi. A common sign of moisture problems is

discoloration of your walls, floors or

ceilings. If you notice your paint or wallpaper peeling, crack

ing or warping, that could also be

indicative of water issues. Anytime you have flooding, you sh

ould have your home inspected for

mold damage as soon as possible.