Is Living in a House with Mold Hazardous?
In caves, forests and other environments, mold and fungus deteriorates rotting organic material and enriches the soil around it, but it can bring its share of major health issues if you allow it to live in your house. Luckily, most types of mold are generally easy to ignore, but sometimes a little patch may later turn into a large problem. Mold reproduces using spores that are released into the air and causes sickness if inhaled by anyone with mold sensitivities or asthma. A few studies have also found a correlation between an early exposure to mold and the development of asthma in some younger children. Household mold is not a problem for many folks, but can be harmful for those with respiratory issues. In most cases, the concentration of mold and degree of a person's allergies will effect their reaction. If you are allergic to mold, you'll likely have cold-like symptoms like sneezing or a runny nose when you're around mold. More serious allergies can cause harsh reactions like difficulty breathing. Those with asthma need to be especially careful around large populations of mold because it can cause asthma attacks. Other sensitive groups at risk include:- Infants and children
- Seniors
- Immune sensitive individuals
- People with serious lung disease
Where Mold can be Found
Typically found in damp areas, mold and mildew will grow bigger over time. Mold can enter your house through any opening, such as doors left open, open windows, vents and air conditioning and heating systems. Mold doesn't only invade a house through open windows and doors-- it can latch onto your clothes, bags, pets and shoes and be moved your house. When the amount of mold in your house continues to grow, it can affect the physical well-being of your family, 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 to Prevent Mold in the House
When it comes to stopping mold from getting into your home, there are preventative steps you can take. Here's some steps you can take:- Install ventilation in bathrooms, laundry rooms and kitchen
- Control the humidity levels in your house
- If there's a flood, meticulously clean and dry your house
- Immediately mend leaky roofs, windows and pipes
- Talk to your local mold damage restoration contractors for affordable mold damage restoration
