Mold is a very common issue in homes that can cause serious structural damage and affect your health. That’s why it is important to keep an eye out for signs that mold is forming in your house.

We’ve compiled five of the most common signs that mold is forming in your home. Be sure to keep an eye out for these when you are walking around your house!

Mold Spores

If the mold has gotten to the point where you can visibly see it, you likely have a huge problem on your hands.

“Once you see it, you’ve got a big mold problem because what you’re seeing is literally just the tip of the iceberg,” said Kelly Hayes- Raitt, a housesitter and the former director of the HomeSafe Campaign in California.

If you do see mold spores, call a mold remediation company immediately so that you can get the situation under control.

You Feel Like You Have A Cold Or The Flu

“It is pretty tough to detect until it starts coming through the walls because mold, as you know, is a problem with some sort of leak somewhere,” said Hayes-Raitt. “So the problem starts behind the walls. But if you’re getting sick, it might be because of a mold problem.”

She added that one of the best ways to determine if the sickness you feel is related to the house or not is to leave for a few days and then return home. If your symptoms go away when you leave, they might be happening because of mold!

You’ve Been Getting Nosebleeds

“In more serious cases, people have chronic nosebleeds, but again, it’s kind of difficult, you know, you don’t ordinarily think that it’s mold, that it’s your house that’s making you sick,” Hayes-Raitt said.

If you find yourself getting chronic nosebleeds, you should of course also see a doctor!

You’re Getting Frequent Headaches

“Mold exposure can cause short-term and long-term negative effects,” Steve Worsley, the owner of CNC Contractor Services, told INSIDER. “Short-term effects of mold exposure include headaches, coughing, running nose, flu-like symptoms, and mental health concerns.”

“It’s very crucial that people address any moisture intrusion events in a timely manner with the assistance of a mold expert,” he added. “Mold can start reproducing within 48 hours after a moisture intrusion event.”

There Are Places In Your House Where Water And Moisture Collect

“[Another] sign of a possible mold issue is an elevated moisture level in building materials,” said George Hernandez, the vice president of operations at PuroClean. “This is difficult to assess without the proper equipment, so it is always better to contact restoration professionals and have them perform an inspection.”

“Once mold growth has started, the situation typically does not improve with time,” he continued.

It’s important to be aware of these mold signs so that you can take the appropriate measures to protect your home and your family.