Is Living in a House with Mold Hazardous?
In caves, forests and other environments, mold processes dead plant and animal matter and enriches the surrounding soil, but it can cause significant health issues when it starts spreading in your home. Thankfully, most kinds of mold is generally harmless, but sometimes a small patch may later turn into a big issue. When mold reproduces, it frees spores into the air which can cause illness if inhaled by anyone with mold allergies or respiratory issues. A few studies have also discovered a correlation between an early exposure to mold and the development of asthma in some younger children. Household mold or mildew is nontoxic for most folks, but can be harmful for more sensitive groups. Overall, the concentration of mold and severity of someone's allergies will effect their response. Sneezing, coughing, runny nose, red eyes, wheezing, headaches and similar flu-like reactions are most often experienced with mold allergies, making it difficult to pinpoint correctly. More severe allergies may result in harsh reactions such as shortness of breath. Those with asthma must be particularly careful near high concentrations of mold because it may trigger asthma attacks. Other sensitive groups at risk include:- Infants and children
- Those 65 and up
- Immune sensitive individuals
- People with severe lung disease
Where Mold can be Found
Mold and mildew does grow bigger over time in damp places. A home can get a mold infestation through doors left ajar, open windows, vents and HVAC systems. Mold doesn't only invade a home through open doors and windows-- it can fasten onto your clothes, knapsacks, pets and shoes and be moved indoors. Mold growth can affect your family's physical well-being, as well as your possessions and the structure itself. Mold can grow in wet places, but it can be found in unexpected places. These include:- Paper products
- Ceiling tiles
- Cardboard
- Wood products
- Paints
- Insulation
- Drywall
- Upholstery
How Can I Prevent Mold?
You can take preventative steps to ensure that mold won't grow in your home. Here's some easy steps you can take:- Set up ventilation in bathrooms, laundry rooms and kitchen
- Control the humidity levels in your home
- In the case of a flood, clean and dry your home carefully
- Immediately patch up leaky roofs, windows and pipes
- Call your local mold damage repair contractors for affordable mold remediation