How Can I Tell if There’s Mold in my Home’s Insulation?

Did you know that your insulation could be hiding mold? Under the right circumstances, mold can grow in your home right under your nose. How can you tell if your house is contaminated? The experts at Foam Bear Orlando are here to teach you how to tell if there’s mold in your home’s insulation and what you can do.

How Mold Forms in Homes

Mold requires the perfect ecosystem to thrive, and poor insulation can help expedite the process. This is because outdated insulation, especially fiberglass, is more likely to contain gaps in-between the seams where air can travel through. Under certain outdoor temperatures such as on warm and humid days, moisture can be carried through the air causing a wet environment inside of your home. This is how mold can grow indoors.

Finding Traces of Mold

Since your insulation is meant to be the barrier separating the outdoors from the indoors, it’s the first place that’s affected by mold. If you suspect mold is growing in your home, take a look at your insulation first and foremost. Just be sure to wear protective gear like gloves and a mask so you don’t come into contact with or ingest any hazardous spores. With the help of a flashlight, you can check your insulation for discoloration like black, green, or gray. If your insulation is behind a wall, the surrounding wood will be soft and give into pressure when you poke it. You’ll also notice a pungent smell similar to that of old wet paper or dirty laundry.

Mold Inspection Checklist

● A strong, noticeable smell ● Discoloration in the insulation ● Weakened material around the insulation

Bodily Reactions to Mold

If you find traces of mold in your home, it’s best to get it treated immediately as it could affect your health. Many people who have been exposed to mold spores have experienced the following:

• Coughing / Asthma
• Irritated eyes and skin
• Dry and scratchy throat
• Tiredness and fatigue

Some people don’t realize they’re exposed to mold until they begin to develop more drastic symptoms that can turn into chronic illnesses. Spending the time to clear your home of mold is better than letting your symptoms evolve to the point of being untreatable.

Switch to New Spray Foam Insulation!

You can easily avoid mold altogether by switching your old and ineffective insulation to brand-new spray foam insulation. Spray foam provides a tighter seal than traditional fiberglass insulation, so there’s less chance of air leaking into your home and creating the ideal conditions for mold. Since spray foam expands, it can easily close up hard-to-reach spots, making it much more reliable than precut sheets which don’t always line up right for adequate protection.

The Best Spray Foam Company in Orlando

Foam Bear Orlando is the best place in Florida for the best quality spray foam with expert insulation. We’ve been serving the area for many years by providing tight insulation to last a lifetime! Call (727) 580-1090 today for a free estimate. We can clear your home of your old insulation before equipping your walls with an impeccable line of defense against the elements to keep you and your loved ones safe.