Ideally, you would be able to see and get rid of any mold growth in your home before it got out of control. However, mold isn't always as visible as you might think. It can hide in your walls, in your ceiling, in your air conditioning vents, or in cracks and crevices that you may not think to look in. Take a look at a few tips that can help you determine whether or not you have hidden mold growth in your home.

Scent

Usually, the smell is the first thing that can alert you that you have a mold problem somewhere in your home. Mold smells damp, musty, and earthy. The closer you get to it, the stronger it smells. Black mold carries a particularly strong scent. If you follow your nose to the source of the smell but still can't find the mold, that may be a clue that it's hidden behind a wall or other obstruction. Even if you can't see it or trace it to the source, you should assume that where there's a moldy smell, there's a mold problem somewhere.

Symptoms

What if you can't smell the mold? Well, if your nose is too stuffed to smell anything, that may also be a sign of mold growth. Mold can cause allergy-like symptoms in people who are sensitive to it. Children, the elderly, and those already suffering from allergies or respiratory problems are the most at risk, but even if you don't fall into any of these categories, you may still experience symptoms.

In addition to nasal and sinus congestion, mold exposure may result in coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, a sore throat, skin irritation and rashes, eye irritation, and upper respiratory infections. If you're experiencing any of these symptoms and can't determine a cause, it's worth having your home tested for mold.

Staining

Where there is moisture, there is the potential for mold growth. Luckily, even if you can't see the mold, moisture tends to leave signs of its own. Look for yellow or green water stains on the ceiling, or dark spots on the walls. These could be signs of a leak that could have mold behind them. You should also look for wet spots on the exterior walls that don't seem to dry, even days after the last rain.

If you have signs of mold but can't find the source, a mold remediation service can perform a test on your home that will let them know if you have mold growth. Using a professional mold remediation service is the best way to get rid of hidden mold.