The mold you can see is rarely the whole story. After storm water gets into a South Florida home, the growth that matters most is often behind drywall, under flooring, or inside an air handler. Here is how to read the signs.

Smell before sight. A persistent musty or earthy odor, especially one that gets stronger when the AC runs, is one of the most reliable early indicators of hidden growth.

Follow the water’s path. Mold grows where moisture settles, which is not always where the water came in. Check low points: the base of walls, under windows, behind baseboards, around plumbing and AC penetrations.

Look for the secondary signs. Staining or discoloration that returns after you paint, bubbling or peeling paint, warped baseboard, and grout or caulk that stays dark are all worth a closer look.

Watch the humidity. If indoor humidity stays high after a storm even with the AC running, materials stay damp and growth continues. This is common when water is trapped inside a wall assembly.

A note on health: the EPA and CDC note that some people are more sensitive to mold than others. This article is general information and is not medical advice. If anyone in the home has health concerns, speak with a medical professional.

When growth is suspected behind a surface, a professional inspection settles it without guessing. As a Certified Mold Remediator (MRSR978), Deluxe can identify the source, confirm the extent, and document it for your records and your insurer. We serve Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach. For mold remediation, call (888) 553-3589.

Related: the first 48 hours after storm water, filing an insurance claim for water and mold, and our hurricane water damage and mold guide.