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Yes, brown spots on a ceiling are usually caused by water leaks and can lead to mold growth, especially if you don’t correct the underlying problem. Ongoing water leaks and moisture issues will almost always result in mold growth, especially if you live in a warm climate. Mold is a health hazard, so get the root problem fixed quickly, clean it, and encapsulate the area to avoid mold formation.

No—there are key things that help you determine if it’s mold versus mildew. Mildew is a specific type of mold. Both can trigger allergies, asthma, and respiratory symptoms, though mold is typically more severe than mildew.

A DIY kit can lessen the sting that comes with paying for a professional assessment, but these comprehensive tests are true lifesavers. Inspectors are more likely to catch all of the pollutants and hazards in your air. Plus, you’ll still need a professional to verify and act on your DIY test results. 

Some kits don’t include tests for certain air pollutants or only detect their presence, but not their levels (i.e., mold spores). If you’re willing to shell out money for a DIY kit, it’s usually better to stretch your budget slightly higher for a more detailed assessment.

There are two types of mold symptoms in the home: visible mold and unexplained health issues. If you have allergies out-of-season, brain fog with no other obvious cause, constant congestion, and other such symptoms, you may have a mold problem. Oftentimes you can smell mold in your home, even if you can’t see it.