Is Living in a House with Mold Dangerous?
In the wild, mold breaks down rotting material and enriches the soil around it, but it can cause major health problems if it blooms in your house. Fortunately, most types of mold is typically innocent, but a small splotch may later become a large problem. When mold reproduces, it frees spores into the air which can cause illness when inhaled by anyone with mold sensitivities or asthma. According to a few studies, there is a link between an early exposure to mold and the development of asthma in some younger children. For most, garden variety mold, mildew or fungi is innocuous and goes undetected. However, it can affect other folks who are sensitive or who have lung conditions. Mold sensitivities are common for many people and hit on different occasions based on the density of mold. If you are allergic to mold, you'll likely have cold-like symptoms like sneezing or a runny nose when you're around mold. The most severe reactions include difficulty breathing. Mold and mildew can also trigger asthma attacks too. Other sensitive groups at risk include:- Infants and kids
- The elderly
- Immune compromised individuals
- People with chronic pulmonary disease
Mold in the House
Mildew and mold will grow bigger over time in moist places. A house can get a mold infestation through doors left ajar, windows, vents and HVAC systems. Mold doesn't only enter a house through windows and doors-- it can also attach onto your clothes, knapsacks, animals and shoes and be brought your house. When the amount of mold in your house exceeds normal levels, it can affect the physical well-being of your family, your possessions and the building itself. Mold usually grows 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 in the House?
You can take preventative steps to in order to stop mold from infesting your home. We suggest you do the following:- Install ventilation for showers, laundry rooms and kitchen
- Control the humidity levels in your house
- If it floods, clean and dry your house carefully
- Promptly fix leaky roofs, windows or pipes
- Contact your local mold damage restoration contractors for affordable mold remediation
