Is Living in a Home with Mold Dangerous?
In the wild, mold, mildew and fungus deteriorates dead plant and animal matter and enriches the soil around it, but it can cause significant health trouble if it blooms in your house. Thankfully, most types of mold are generally harmless, but sometimes a little spot can grow to bigger proportions. When mold reproduces, it frees spores into the air which can cause illness if inhaled by those with mold sensitivities or respiratory issues. A few studies have also found a correlation between an early exposure to mold and the development of asthma in some younger children. For most, garden variety mold, mildew or fungi isn't dangerous or even obvious. That said, it can affect other people who are allergy prone and who have asthma. Typically, the concentration of mold and sensitivity of a person's allergies has the most effect on their reaction. Sneezing, coughing, runny nose, red eyes, wheezing, headaches and similar flu-like symptoms are commonly seen with mold allergies, making it hard to target the problem correctly. More serious allergies can cause harsh reactions such as shortness of breath. Anyone with asthma should be particularly cautious around high concentrations of mold as it may trigger asthma attacks. Other groups at risk include:- Infants and kids
- The elderly
- Immune sensitive individuals
- Those with serious pulmonary disease
Where Mold can be Found
Mildew and mold does build up over time in damp places. Mold enters your house through any opening, such as open doorways, windows, vents and air conditioning and heating systems. Mold doesn't only invade your house through doors and windows. It can fasten onto your clothes, purses, pets and shoes and be transported indoors. Mold growth doesn't only affect your family's health-- it can affect your possessions and the building itself. Mold commonly grows in moist places, but it can be found in places you may not think to look. These include:- Paper products
- Ceiling tiles
- Cardboard
- Wood products
- Paints
- Insulation
- Drywall
- Upholstery
Mold Prevention
When it comes to stopping mold from getting into your home, there are preventative steps you can take. We suggest you do the following:- Set up ventilation for showers, laundry rooms and kitchen
- Manage the humidity levels in your house
- If there's a flood, carefully clean and dry your house
- Immediately mend leaky roofs, windows and pipes
- Talk to Paul Davis mold damage repair specialists for affordable mold remediation
