Household mold is always unsightly. It could be on your wall, shower curtains, ceiling, basement floor or just about any part of the house. There are some situations where mold in the home could cause sickness or trigger allergies. Even if you’re not allergic to mold, it could still irritate the skin, lungs, nose or throat. You will be asking yourself how mold can cause asthma yet the signs are very clear.
Mold Reaction
Anyone who is sensitive to mold is at risk of developing health complications. All it takes is to touch or inhale the mold and the allergic reactions are triggered. The allergic reactions will include skin rash, runny nose, red eyes, and sneezing. You could experience more adverse symptoms if there is a severe trigger.
In addition to those people suffering from asthma and allergies, mold could also affect:
- The elderly
- Infants and children
- People suffering from chronic lung disease
- People whose immune systems have been compromised by diseases like HIV and cancer.
Definition of Mold
Most can be described as a type of fungus consisting of small organisms that can be found virtually anywhere. They can be purple, green, black, orange, or white. Mold plays an important in the ecosystem as they break down dead plants, leaves, and trees. For mold to thrive, the atmosphere must be conducive. That means moisture must be present. You’re exposed to mold almost on a daily basis when you leave the house. Mold in small amounts is not harmful at all. The problem is when they start to grow. They can become a nuisance. Mold releases spores into the atmosphere when it grows. The spores are then inhaled thus triggering the allergies you’re likely to experience. The more spores you inhale, the more dangerous it becomes for your health.
Areas Where Mold Grows
The furniture, carpet, walls, floors, and walls can all be good sources of food necessary for the mold to grow. You’re likely to see mold in dump places because it needs moisture the most.
Getting Rid Of Mold
It will be almost impossible to get rid of the entire mold that exists in a home. You can make sure that they are not spreading by reducing the instance of moisture in the house. If there is already mold growing in your house, it is important that you clean up first before anything else. It could be interfering with the air quality in the home. Here are some tips that could come in handy if you’re looking to get rid of mold in the house.
Use of air conditioners and humidifiers: This will come in handy if you’re experiencing hot and humid conditions. Experts recommend keeping the humidity in the house below 60% whenever possible. A hygrometer will be helpful when trying to measure the relative humidity.
Adding Insulation: Insulation should be added to cold surfaces. Such surfaces will include windows, floors, and exterior walls. Wet areas should be dried within 24 hours to prevent the growth of mold.
Fixing Leaks: Another common cause of mold is leaks. Your roof could be leaking slowly without realizing. This means that the mold will also be growing under the roof. This could lead to significant damages. Make sure you have a professional inspect the roof every once in a while to make sure there are no leaks.
You should also call a heating and cooling contractor to make sure your HVAC system is correctly sized and it is operating and optimal efficiency when it comes to removing humidity. You will also need to ask the contractor to check the duct system for air leaks.
Doors between rooms should be open to improve air circulation, especially in hot and humid areas. The HVAC system will not have to work as hard if there is improved air circulation.
As a homeowner, it is your responsibility to ensure the crawl spaces are well ventilated. This can be done by having fans or ventilation installed on the outside walls if is required.
Check that the gutters are working properly and the water is running away from the landscape. Wall to wall carpets can be breeding grounds for mold. The best alternative would be to use area rugs instead. Cleaning is easier and you don’t have to worry about mold developing on the floor. Controlling mold in the home requires vigilance. You shouldn’t wait until the problem has become worse for you to take actions. The presence of mold could lead to a serious health condition.