Oftentimes we can either ignore or temporarily forget that the drip-drip sound coming from somewhere in the house could be causing damage. The dripping sound could be from a water heater, a roof, a sewer backup, and of course, one of the many sinks a house can have. The question then becomes, is that drip-drip sound a leak, and if so, is mold forming? 

 The answer is most likely yes, but you don’t want to guess when it comes to the possibility of the formation of mold. Molds grow from invisible microscopic spores but all you need to know is that the growth of mold needs a food source which is oxygen, moisture, and warmth. If it has a steady supply of these conditions, then mold will or has already begun to form. 

 You should also suspect the hidden intruder if your house smells moldy. It's nothing to play around with as people have reported health problems and allergies. As mold spreads on the surfaces of the house it can feed on moisture that remains undetected, and in addition to health problems, it affects the integrity of buildings, their contents, and can cause permanent damage. If you are in any doubt about possible mold intrusion do buy home mold test kit to allay any fears that you may have - it’s better to be safe than sorry.

 There are many types of molds but none of them can grow without water and moisture. It can be encouraged to grow throughout your home on damp surfaces such as bathroom walls, claddings, from the stove, running hot water from the sink, ducts, attics, and crawl spaces if it's not noticed. 

 If it spreads to your carpets, mold can spread to the surrounding area. Even if you remove them and dry out the wet areas around you, you still need to work to prevent moisture. As soon as mold forms water damage can complicate the recovery process. You must maintain the dryness for a few days after a water catastrophe to prevent mold from forming. Once excess moisture has been removed, you should clean and disinfect the source.  

There are many steps you can take to prevent mold from forming. If you suspect a leak, find it and have it fixed right away. Afterward, you can conduct a mold inspection and remove any mold that has already formed. However, if you remove the mold but you don't fix the problem the mold problem will come back.  

If you're not sure what you're dealing with you can ask a certified professional or experienced mold testing company to commission an independent laboratory certified by AIHA and perform a test to determine if your home has microscopic mold within it. 

 Unfortunately, we can’t see what’s going on in the air as mold spores are tiny particles that are not visible to the naked eye. They occur naturally in nature and can grow into the visible mold without water damage. And black mold can form at any time if a house is damaged by excessive moisture or a defective HVAC system.  

 Mold and mildew are common consequences of water damage, and excessive moisture creates an ideal environment for their growth. In winter, moist air changes the water surface, making it easier for mold to grow. If you live in an area with extreme weather changes, performing seasonal inspections for this very reason might save you from a surprise attack of mold forming in or on your home. 

 Choosing to ignore any drip-drip sounds coming from anywhere in your home is potentially ignoring the tale-gale sign that you leak. You should make the effort to find the source of that sound immediately or contact a professional to locate the source of it. 

 In either case, if you leak into your home, you should understand that if left unattended it will eventually cause mold if it's being fed oxygen, moisture, and warmth. Mold is dangerous and you should attempt to locate and fix its leak source and eradicate it, which is what any professional will tell you.