Signs of mold in your house

What does mold look like?

Mold growth usually shows up as spots or fuzzy patches that spread over time. It can be black, green, gray, white or brown. On painted drywall it often looks like a stain or a dark speckling that comes back after you wipe it.

Not every dark mark is mold. Soot, dirt and old water stains look similar. The question that matters is whether the material is, or was recently, wet.

What does mold smell like?

Most people describe it as musty or earthy, like a damp basement. A smell that is strongest in one closet, under one sink or in one corner of a room points to a local moisture source. A smell that disappears when windows are open and returns when the house is closed up often points to humidity rather than a leak.

What are the less obvious signs of moisture?

Mold needs moisture to grow, so these are the early warnings:¹

• Water stains or rings on ceilings and walls
• Paint that bubbles, peels or cracks
• Baseboards, cabinet bases or flooring that are swollen or warped
• Condensation on windows, walls or pipes
• Grout and caulk that stay dark after cleaning
• A bathroom that stays steamy long after a shower

Where should you check first in a Los Angeles home?

In LA, most of the water comes from inside the house rather than from rain. Start here:

1. Under kitchen and bathroom sinks, including the back wall of the cabinet
2. Behind and around toilets
3. Bathroom ceilings, especially above the shower
4. Closets on exterior walls, particularly near the coast
5. Around windows and sliding doors
6. Near the water heater, washing machine and AC air handler

We explain why these spots matter here in why LA homes get mold without rain.

Which signs mean you should get an inspection?

You can usually handle a small patch yourself. The EPA’s guideline is about 10 square feet: under that, on a hard surface with an obvious cause like shower grout, clean it with detergent and water and dry it.¹

Book an inspection when:

• The smell persists and you can’t find the source
• Growth covers more than about 10 sq ft, or keeps coming back
• There was a leak and you don’t know whether the wall dried out
• Stains appear on ceilings or walls with no obvious cause
• You’re buying a home and see any of the signs above

Can mold make you sick?

The CDC says damp, moldy environments can cause symptoms such as a stuffy nose, wheezing, or itchy eyes and skin in some people, and that people with allergies, asthma or weakened immune systems can be more affected.² We document what’s in the home. For health questions, talk to your doctor.