Mold Resources

How Do You Check For Mold After a Hurricane Hits?

Determining if there’s mold after a hurricane is a multi-step process. 

1. Take a Look Around

Use a flashlight and look at every little area you can get to in the home. You’re not only looking for mold during the hunt but also for water damage as well.

When it comes to visible mold, look for any discoloration or abnormalities. With so many species out there, mold can come in all sorts of colors, shapes, and textures, so look for any sort of abnormality. Some of the most common colors include green, white, grey, blue, red, black, brown, or the infamous pink. As for textures, they could be fuzzy, powdery, velvety, or slimy.

As for water damage, visible issues that indicate a moisture problem include coffee-like stains, discolored carpet, or bubbling and peeling paint/wallpaper. Condensation on windows can also point to a moisture and mold growth problem. 

Some of the top areas to check for problems include:

• Basement

• Ceilings

• Caulk/grout 

• Kitchen appliances 

• Washing machine 

• Attic 

• Carpet 

• Windowsills 

• The toilet tank

2. Use Your Nose

If you don’t find any visible mold, that doesn’t mean that there isn’t a problem. The growth could be in a hidden location like beneath insulation, or it might be too small to be visible yet. 

In this case, rely on your nose. Mold growth often creates a damp, musty, earthy smell due to the release of gases called microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOC). If you smell this in the space, there’s a good chance that you’re dealing with mold after a hurricane.

3. Pay Attention to Your Body

Just because you don’t see or smell a problem, doesn’t mean that there isn’t an issue. It’s also important to pay attention to your body and always trust your instincts. If you or a loved one randomly develops any symptoms while staying in the home, it could point to a contamination problem.

Our bodies are amazing warning systems that will let us know when something is wrong. If you start feeling unwell, those invisible particles could be wreaking havoc, causing your body to sound the alarm and push for you to get out of that situation. Always listen to your body when it’s saying, "Hey, something is definitely not right here."

To learn more about protecting a home from water damage from a hurricane, click here. 

To learn more about protecting your home from mold before a hurricane hits, click here. 

To learn more about protecting your home from mold after a hurricane hits, click here. 

To learn more about whether or not your insurance will cover you for mold after a hurricane, click here.