Most of us can recognize mold on our loaf of bread or our favorite cheese, but when it comes to spotting mold in your home, things aren’t quite as simple. Mold can hide in hard-to-spot places, negatively impacting your health from an unseen location. Here are three sneaky signs you may have mold in your home.

Mysterious symptoms

Mold can lead to a whole host of unexplained symptoms ranging from dizziness and brain fog to rashes, respiratory issues, and worsening allergies. If you’re experiencing some confusing health symptoms, it may be time to take a deeper look for mold.

Leaks

Nobody likes a leak in their home, but on top of dealing with leaking water, these issues can also cause mold growth. If you’ve had a leak in your home, it’s a good idea to do a follow up and check for mold in affected areas. This can include leaks in the roof, around window sills, and in damp basements.

Strange smells

Is that just the old broccoli in your fridge or something more serious causing that strange smell? Mold can definitely be present with no smell at all, especially for those without sensitive noses, but it can also cause a faint musty or earthy smell.

How to tackle mold

So you think you have mold, now what? If you spot a small patch of mold, you should clean it yourself right away with a homemade mold cleaner─white vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, and bleach/borax solutions are all options. It’s also a good idea to call in professional mold inspectors to make sure you have addressed the full extent of the issue.