Is Living in a House with Mold Hazardous?
While mold plays a crucial part in the natural world, it is a reason for concern if it invades your home. Fortunately, most kinds of mold are generally harmless, but sometimes a small spot may later become a large issue. Mold procreates with the use of spores that are freed into the air and causes illness when breathed in by those with mold sensitivities or breathing issues. A few studies have also found 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 nontoxic and goes unnoticed. Unfortunately, it can hurt other folks who are allergy prone or who have breathing conditions. These mold sensitivities are seen in a lot of people and flair up on different occasions based on the concentration of mold. If you have a mold allergy, you'll likely sneeze, have a runny nose, cough, red eyes, wheeze, skin irritations or a headache when mold is nearby. The most severe reactions include difficulty breathing. Mold can be especially triggering for asthma attacks as well. Additional groups at risk include:- Babies and kids
- Those 65 and up
- Those with a weak immune system
- Those with chronic lung disease
Mold in the House
Mold and mildew will grow bigger over time in damp places. Your house can get a mold infestation through doors left ajar, open windows, vents and heating and air conditioning systems. Mold doesn't only invade a house through open windows and doors. It can fasten onto your clothes, bags, animals and shoes and be transported indoors. Mold growth doesn't only affect your family's physical well-being-- it can affect your possessions and the structure 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 to Stop Mold
You can take preventative steps to in order to stop mold from infesting your home. We suggest the following:- Set up ventilation in bathrooms, laundry rooms and kitchen
- Monitor the humidity levels in your house
- If there's a flood, carefully clean and dry your house
- Fix leaky roofs, windows or pipes
- Talk to Paul Davis mold damage restoration contractors for affordable mold removal