Aside from the unsightly black, green, or brown staining mold leaves in its wake, it can also indicate much more serious problems for a home.

It compromises air quality: Mold spores cause allergy symptoms for many, and when severe, it can cause more severe respiratory distress. This isn’t healthy for anyone, but it is particularly dangerous for infants and young children who have fragile lungs. It’s also potentially harmful for those with asthma and other preexisting lung conditions.v

Even if you don’t have a condition, however, mold is still a pain to deal with when in excess. You might experience trouble breathing, watery eyes, congestion, runny nose, and other allergy related symptoms if exposed to a high mold count indoors.

Mold can indicate structural problems: Excessive mold in a home is often indicative of a much larger problem in the building’s integrity. In some cases this will be a simple fix, like mold caused by moisture in the bathroom where there isn’t a working exhaust fan. Other times, it can signal more serious problems, such as a leaky roof or frequent flooding in or around basements. These problems not only lead to mold growth, but over time, they can damage the building itself and compromise the safety of inhabitants.