Mold isn’t always obvious. Common red flags include a persistent musty smell, allergy-like symptoms that worsen indoors (congestion, coughing, itchy eyes), and discoloration on walls or ceilings (often black, green, or brown spotting). You may also notice peeling paint, warped drywall, or soft spots around bathrooms, basements, windows, and anywhere past leaks occurred. If you’ve had water damage in the last 24–72 hours, mold can start developing quickly—so it’s worth investigating.