Mold can be a serious concern.

All too often the presence of mold leads to lung problems. Watch out if you or your family starts sneezing for no reason - there might be airborne mold in your home. Other symptoms include watery eyes, coughing, problem breathing and headaches, and sometimes your skin can be irritated.

The process of testing for mold is generally based on a thorough set of tests on the air around your home. Because of the nature of the tests that need to be conducted, you may have to call in a professional. Don’t be shocked if there is mold in your air - not all molds are dangerous.

While some mold types are harmless to your health, there’s no saying when they will spawn their toxic cousins. Only mold that is found to contain mycotoxins will be dangerous to you and your family. The ominous name of these little spores is indicative of their power - they have been known to lead to serious neurological death and, in extreme cases, death.

Severe infestations may call for a mold inspection. Such an inspection is based on a thorough search of your home, consisting of visual inspections carried out by experts. These tests will involve photographing the mold, determining its causes, having the mold tested, and finally, having it eradicated.

Unfortunately, these contractors don’t come cheap. As a result, hiring experts should only be considered in desperation. Thankfully you have a lot of other options.

Start by educating yourself about mold in general. As a safe rule, mold mostly thrives in dark, damp, humid or steamy areas inside and outside your home. It is extremely useful to avoid running water leaks in your home.

Mold also thrives in cluttered storage areas. If you keep your home clean and clear you should be able to avoid mold. It will also be wise to keep your home well light and aired.

Preventing mold is simple when your home is neat and open. Always throw rotten food away as it acts like a magnet for mold. You can check for the presence of mold with a few simple home tests.

In nature, mold is found on dead or decaying matter, so throw away the “dead and decaying” from your home. You can check for the presence of mold with a few simple home tests. Finally, keep in mind that in a war, knowing your enemy is winning half of the battle.