Whether it’s slimy black splotches along your shower floor or fuzzy yellow spots on your basement ceiling, household mold is definitely an eyesore. Not only that, but an indoor mold infestation can cause foul odors, weaken your home’s structural integrity, and even harm your health.
Despite all of these issues, this funky fungus is an uninvited guest in more than 70% of homes across the globe. Do you think your home might have a mold problem?
To help you better understand mold, let’s take a deep dive into what it is, what causes it, how it puts your health at risk, and how to put an end to your mold dilemmas for good.
What is Mold?
Mold is a type of fungus that reproduces by releasing tiny spores that travel through the air. There are thousands of different types of mold species worldwide. In nature, mold is super useful. It breaks down organic matter, such as dead leaves and shrubs. However, once mold enters your house, it’s a totally different story. Mold will eat away at any surface it grows on. This can destroy wood, fabric, plastic, and even glass surfaces. What’s more, if inhaled, mold spores can negatively impact your health. This is especially true for infants, the elderly, and people with respiratory conditions such as allergies and asthma.
Exposure to mold can cause a myriad of health complications including sneezing, wheezing, runny eyes, upper respiratory infections, and trouble breathing. If you think you have mold in your home, you need to seek the help of an experienced mold remediation company right away. Prolonged mold exposure can put you and your loved ones at risk.
Why is There Mold in My House?
Mold thrives in dark, damp environments. If your home has recently experienced indoor flooding or a pipe leak, it can create a breeding ground for mold and bacteria. Water can seep under your carpet or behind your walls. This stagnant water will boost indoor moisture levels, vastly encouraging mold growth.
In addition to excess moisture, mold spores can enter your house through open windows and ventilation systems. They can even attach themselves to your shoes, clothing, possessions, or pets. Once the spores find a surface to attach to, they’ll start to flourish. Places where mold loves to hide include:
- Dark basements, attics, and crawlspaces
- Air conditioning units
- Areas where leaks or flooding have occurred
- Bathrooms
- Places with little or no air circulation, including behind walls and inside closets
Signs Your Home Has Mold
Any part of your home that gets moist can become moldy. Mold shows itself in numerous ways, including:
- A musty odor: If you notice a muggy smell in a dark, wet area of your home, you might have mold
- Bubbling surfaces or peeling wallpaper: Uneven wall surfaces or peeling wallpaper is a surefire sign that you have condensation forming underneath your walls. And where there is water, there is sure to be mold.
- Dark spots on your ceiling or floor: Mold can appear as green, black, yellow, orange, and brown discoloration on your home’s surfaces.
- Health issues: If you’ve recently experienced coughing or sneezing fits and other sudden respiratory problems, your home might have a mold infestation.
If you’ve experienced any of these aforementioned symptoms, call a mold remediation company now.
Mold and Your Health
Mold exposure can pose a serious health problem, especially for people with weakened immune systems, allergies, or existing respiratory conditions. Black mold, also called toxic mold, is extremely dangerous and can put you in harm’s way.
Health risks associated with mold exposure include:
- Breathing issues: When you inhale mold spores, they can irritate your throat, nose, and lungs. This can lead to breathing troubles, including asthma and chronic lung conditions.
- Allergies: A person with an allergy or mold sensitivity can suffer from heightened allergy symptoms such as sneezing, watery eyes, and a runny nose.
- Other conditions associated with mold exposure can include bronchitis, fungal infections, and respiratory tract problems.
In order to lower your chances of mold exposure, it’s essential to take the proper precautions to protect your home from this gross intruder.
How to Prevent Mold in Your Home
There are a number of steps you can take to discourage the growth of mold in your home. These include:
- Reduce humidity: Never allow excess moisture to build up inside your house. If your home has a flood or leak, seek water damage restoration and water extraction services right away. Use dehumidifiers in areas prone to moisture. Never store wet fabrics in your closets.
- Check your pipes: Routinely check your home’s pipes to ensure they’re not suffering from wear and tear. Repair or replace bad pipes as needed.
- Promote air circulation: When the weather is nice, open your windows to let fresh air in. Increase air circulation with fans in your closets, bathrooms, and basement.
- Keep it clean: Make mold inspections part of your cleaning routine. Look for signs of mold. Spray mold-killing solutions in your bathroom and basement. Ensure all surfaces are always dry.
Expert Mold Remediation Services
If you think your building has a mold infestation, it’s important to act fast. Mold can harm your health and your home. When it comes to mold remediation, it’s smart to hire a team of experienced experts. If you attempt a DIY mold removal job, you can increase your chances of mold exposure. Moreover, you can accidentally transfer mold to other areas of your home.
For professional mold removal services, contact Save the Day Restoration now. Our team of seasoned technicians offers 24/7 emergency services. We’ll swiftly and efficiently remove all traces of mold from your home so it’s safe and comfortable once again.
If you need mold removal services, learn more about us and what we have to offer. Don’t hesitate. Call our team today at (562) 246-9908. We look forward to helping you!
