Mold is a fungus that appears in many different forms. It is spread by spores floating in the air. Left unchecked, the possible effects of mold on your health can be serious.
There are a variety of environments that promote the growth of mold within a home. Whether it is cold and damp or warm and humid, mold can develop. Without these conditions, mold can remain in a dormant state until circumstances are suitable. Mold can be found on many things inside your home as well as the walls. Not only is mold not cosmetically pleasing, but it can also pose a risk to the individuals exposed to it.
Types of Mold:
Although the exact number of the different types of mold is unknown, there are likely over 300,000 kinds. Alternaria, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Penicillium are all considered indoor molds. The texture of mold ranges from velvety and fuzzy to rough in appearance. This characteristic of mold is dependent on the type of mold and where it is growing. Another distinguishing component of fungus is its color. Mold can take on a white, yellow, green, black, and even blue tone.
How Mold Grows in Your Home
Spores can enter the home in a variety of ways. As stated previously, spores are spread by floating through the air. Therefore, they are not visible to the naked eye. In this case, spores traveling through the air can enter your home through windows, doorways, and ventilation systems. They can also get in your home by attaching to people or objects such as clothing and shoes. Spores have also been known to adhere to pets, accessing the home that way. Once the spores have successfully found a means of entry, it lands somewhere with ideal conditions for growing. Areas in which leakage or flooding has occurred are likely to have fungus develop and create an issue. Windows where condensation builds up and places where the air does not get a lot of circulation are also ideal areas for spores to land and begin growing mold. Mold is accompanied by a particular musty odor. It can cause damage to your home and your health.
Mold Can Negatively Affect Your Health
Someone with an allergy to mold will experience worsened symptoms when exposed. Additionally, individuals with compromised immune systems or existing respiratory health issues are especially at risk for health problems. Below is a list of issues that accompany prolonged exposure to mold.
- Breathing problems
- A blocked or runny nose
- An itchy nose
- An itchy throat
- Sneezing
- Watery eyes
- Skin and eye irritation
- Wheezing
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Headache
- Insomnia
- Mucous membrane irritation
- Sick-building syndrome
Some types of molds can cause serious health problems for certain individuals. A mold known as Aspergillosis can produce a severe reaction in those who already have a weakened immune system. Some of the different types of aspergillosis include allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, allergic aspergillus sinusitis, aspergilloma (or fungus ball), and chronic pulmonary aspergillosis. Other conditions that arise as a result of mold exposure include inflammatory responses.
Preventing Mold Growth
There are ways to protect and prevent your home from mold growth. Controlling moisture is the biggest preventative measure that can be taken to avoid indoor growth. Keeping a house well ventilated and clean is also important. There are ways to control the level of humidity in your home. Humidity is caused by a variety of factors including the breath of people and pets inside the home. Your water usage such as washing and cooking can have an effect on the volume of moisture stuck inside the home. Additionally, an excessive amount of rainy days influences the humidity level. Houses that are equipped with tightly sealed windows and doors establish a bigger defense against needless moisture.
There are ways to clean and remove mold. One way is to utilize several commercial products. The first step is to wipe hard surfaces inside the home with these products. Soap and water or diluted bleach are alternative options. It is vital to wipe these surfaces completely dry after sanitization to avoid the reappearance of mold. Furthermore, it is important to give porous surfaces specialized attention. These areas make it easy for mold to infiltrate and hide. If you find yourself unable to keep mold out of these areas, it may be in your best interest to dispose of them. There are also antifungal paints designed to prevent mold development. You can typically find these at your local hardware store. In some circumstances, even the greatest persistence won’t completely eradicate mold. In this case, calling a professional may be necessary to tackle large or intense concentrations of mold.
It is beneficial to perform regular checks on your home in areas where mold has the potential to grow. This could save you and your family from costly damage expenses as well as health issues. Professionals can come in handy for the parts of your home that you cannot easily access. If you suspect that your home has mold, contact OneRestore for mold testing and professional mold removal.
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