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If you have a mold infestation that you can see—or one that’s inside the walls that you cannot see—you may notice respiratory issues. You may sneeze quite a bit or have itchy eyes. If you cannot explain these symptoms, which often resemble allergies, you may want to seek a local mold inspection.

Wood rot and mold are related but not equal. Wood rot specifically refers to the decay of wood caused by fungi, compromising its structural integrity. Mold, including black mold, is a type of fungus that can grow on various surfaces, including wood. While wood rot involves the deterioration of the wood itself, mold, including black mold, can grow on both rotting and non-rotting wood, making them interconnected but distinct issues.

While water in your basement is unlikely to make you sick unless it’s coming from a sewage backup, mold is likely to start to grow in wet areas within 24 hours, and mold can make you sick. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), inhaling mold spores can cause allergy symptoms, including runny nose, itchy eyes, difficulty breathing, wheezing, and itchy skin. Individuals with pre-existing respiratory issues like asthma and immunocompromised individuals are at an elevated risk of symptoms when inhaling mold spores.

The microscopic asbestos fibers do not cause eye irritation, throat irritation, or lung irritation. If you are inhaling fibers, you will not know it. This lack of immediate symptoms is one of the reasons why asbestos is so dangerous. You cannot know for certain if you are inhaling fibers, which is why you must wear safety gear if you could have any chance of an exposure while working.