You should have a professional mold inspection if you see what you think may be mold growth, which often can be black, gray, yellow, green, or white, and which grows in colonies that look like round or oval spots. Sometimes you can’t see mold growth, but a musty smell almost always indicates that mold is present. For example, if there’s been a leak in a ceiling or wall, and a musty smell develops afterwards, there may be concealed mold. Or if your basement or crawl space smells musty, it’s probably contaminated with mold. Have a mold inspection.If you have allergy symptoms- like coughing, watery eyes, sneezing and wheezing - indoors year round, or if you are sensitive to mold, have a mold inspection.There are situations that don’t require a professional mold inspection. If you find mold growing on your shower or bath tiles, on the inside of a window frame, or on the outside of your house, the mold can just be cleaned off.

If you want to understand why and where mold grows, learn how to get rid of it and prevent it from returning, buy a copy of The Mold Survival Guide: For Your Home and for Your Health, Jeffrey C. May and Connie L. May (2004). Jeff May is also author of My House is Killing Me! The Home Guide for Families with Allergies and Asthma (2001). Both books are published by The Johns Hopkins University Press and are available on amazon.com.