We Found Mold in Our Home: Here’s What We’re Doing About It

The holidays brought an unexpected discovery this year—mold in our home. While visiting for the season, our brother-in-law, who does inspections, offered to check out some spots we’d been concerned about. The follow-up tests confirmed it: we have a mold problem that needs immediate attention. With some answers, we can now start cleaning, learning, and healing. We want to share what we’ve learned this far in the process with all of you.

The Dangers of Mold Exposure

Mold is more than an eyesore; it’s a health hazard. Prolonged exposure to mold can cause respiratory issues, skin irritation, and even severe allergic reactions. For those with compromised immune systems or preexisting conditions, the risks are even higher. Common symptoms of mold exposure include:

Chronic coughing or wheezing
Sinus congestion and headaches
Eye, nose, or throat irritation
Skin rashes
Fatigue and brain fog

As homeschoolers, we are inside our home a lot. Most of us have had a lingering cough that comes and goes for months now. The more I read about mold, the more I wondered if this was what we were dealing with. I wanted to get some tests done as soon as possible. Understanding the risks of mold exposure, motivated us to tackle the issue head-on, for the safety of our family and home.

Mold Remediation: Where We Are Starting

Once we received the positive tests, I panicked and wanted to immediately start cleaning. My brother in law informed me that it is important to make sure you have the proper supplies on hand to deal with the problem.

1. Identifying the Type of Mold

Not all molds are created equal. Some, like black mold (Stachybotrys, which we have very small amounts of), are more toxic than others. Knowing the type of mold in your home helps determine the best cleanup strategy. Professional testing—like what our brother-in-law performed—is essential for this step. We received the lab results with all of the different types of mold that were found and their spore counts. A professional from The Mold Test Company that we are working with called us to talk through the numbers and types of mold that were found to be in our home. They will inform you if it is a dangerous situation where you need to call in the pro’s.

2. Cleaning and Containment

Working with the Mold Test Company out of Georgia, USA they set us up with one of their affiliates, BioCide Labs, to get the proper products for our specific molds. So far through the process, all parties have been incredibly professional. They walked us through the process of what we will need to do to clean the mold out of our home.

Mold Bomb Fogger: First we will have to use their fogger product to knock all of the particulate and spores out of the air. Most importantly this is the product that will be worked through our AC duct work that is causing our biggest mold problem throughout the house.
Air Scrubber: Next we will need to use a high power commercial grade air scrubber that has some impressive filters that will “scrub” all of the particles in our air throughout the entire home.
Biocide Mold Cleaner: Following those steps we will start the tedious job of spraying down all the locations we can see visible mold, or where they found mold with a UV light. We will spray with their powerful product that eliminates mold at its source. It’s easy to use and highly effective for treated surfaces.
DIY Solutions: You have probably seen all over the internet that you can use bleach or vinegar solutions to kill mold. After talking with the pro’s it sounds like vinegar can work, but that it needs to be left on the mold to work its way down to the source for a very long period of time, when most people may only let it sit for 30 minutes or so.

3. Removing Affected Materials

In some cases, cleaning isn’t enough. Mold can penetrate porous materials like drywall and carpet, making removal the only option. We are hoping that we can avoid this, and that we caught it soon enough, but we will only know once we retest after cleaning everything with biocide thoroughly.

Medical Testing for Mold Exposure

To ensure our family’s health, I also want to explore medical mold testing. These tests help identify how much mold you’ve been exposed to and whether it’s affecting your body. Common tests include:

Mycotoxin Testing: Detects mold toxins in your urine.
Blood Tests: Measures mold-specific antibodies.
Environmental Testing: Assesses the air quality in your home to pinpoint exposure levels.

Since we have had some of the initial signs of mold exposure I will be starting our whole family on some natural remedies for healing from mold exposure.

Healing Naturally from Mold Exposure

I am not an expert in this field, but have been diving in and reading as much as I can about this. The body can recover from mold exposure, but it needs support. Here are some natural methods that I want to start implementing for the whole house to get everyone on the road to healing.

Detoxifying Foods and Herbs: Incorporate foods like Garlic, Ginger, Coconut, Cilantro, Olive Leaf Extract, Grapefruit Seed Extract, which help the body eliminate toxins some also having antifungal properties.
Activated Charcoal: This supplement binds to toxins in the digestive tract, helping to flush them out.
Sauna Therapy: Sweating in a sauna can aid in toxin removal through the skin.
Probiotics: Mold can disrupt gut health, so replenishing good bacteria is crucial.
Halotherapy: This is Salt Room therapy that my Chiropractor offers! Here is a tidbit from her website: “Halotherapy (dry salt therapy) is where 99.99% Pure Grade Sodium Chloride (salt) is heated and then ground and crushed into very tiny microparticles. These dry aerosol microparticles of salt are then dispersed into the salt room. As an individual relaxes, the microparticles are inhaled. The particles penetrate deep into the lungs, bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli to aid respiratory concerns, while the non-inhaled salt particles are absorbed by the body to combat skin conditions.” – https://www.dchorizon.net/halotherapy

How to Spot Mold in Your Home

Mold can grow in places you might not immediately notice. Here are some common signs and locations to check:

Signs:

Musty odors
Water stains or discoloration on walls
Peeling or bubbling paint
Persistent allergy-like symptoms indoors

Places:

Basements and crawl spaces
Around windows and doors
Under sinks and behind appliances
Bathrooms, especially in corners and grout lines
Air Ducts (Our specifically because of winter condensation)

Mold Is More Common Than You Think

Studies suggest that up to 70% of homes have some form of mold. While not all mold is dangerous, it’s essential to address it quickly to prevent health and structural issues.

Moving Forward

We’re still in the middle of our mold remediation journey, but we have already learned so much. Addressing mold isn’t easy, but it’s worth it for a safer, healthier home. If you suspect mold in your house, don’t wait. Take the necessary steps to inspect, clean, and protect your family.

Have you dealt with mold in your home? Share your experiences in the comments—we’d love to hear your tips and insights!