Categories Mold Damage, Mold Remediation, Mold Testing

Basic Truths About Mold and Moisture in Your Home 

Hazmat worker cleaning mold off an interior wall.

What you don’t know can hurt you – This is true, especially for the mold and moisture problem that is endemic and often insidious. Fortunately, you can remediate this problem with a professional mold inspection as experts can inform you about mold prevention to keep you safe.  

Mold is far more common than most people think. Many people are simply oblivious of the harm that mold can inflict on their health, family, and property. Another big problem is that mold often tends to be invisible. Thus, many people are unaware that mold is proliferating in their homes.  

To keep yourself and your family safe, you should educate yourself about mold and moisture problems. With this knowledge, you can take appropriate action to protect yourself and your loved ones as you ought to. 

Here are the facts you must know about mold and moisture.  

  1. Mold Causes Health Problems 

Mold can cause serious health problems, including allergic reactions such as skin rash, red eyes, runny nose, sneezing, and hay fever.  

It can trigger asthma attacks in those susceptible to this health condition. Mold is especially harmful to babies and infants.  

One study from 2012 shows that infants and toddlers exposed to the mold face a higher risk of asthma.  

  1. Mold is Everywhere  

Mold is found almost in all places. This toxin can grow on just about any material provided there is moisture. Molds commonly grow on food, carpet, paper, and wood, among other materials.  

It might seem troublesome that mold is all around us. However, the good news is that you can substantially hamper mold growth by avoiding moisture.  

  1. Moisture Can Seriously Damage Your Property 

Moisture is not as innocuous as it might seem. Moisture can lead to serious water damage that could possibly cost you thousands of dollars to fix.  

Water damage happens to be one of the most frequently occurring catastrophes that American homeowners face. As a result, it is among the most common homeowner insurance claims. The average amount of these claims is well over $10,000.  

It is more common than some might think. Over 95% of basements are subjected to water damage. On average, there are around 14,000 emergencies each day due to water damage. 

Hence, water damage costs US homeowners several billions of dollars each year. Moisture is a common cause of this problem.  

  1. Damp Areas Are Prone to Mold Growth 

Places that are perpetually damp, humid, or wet are highly vulnerable to mold growth. That is because mold needs water to grow. Hence, you should know that places, where moisture or wetness cannot be avoided will likely develop mold problems. Thankfully, you can do something to alleviate this problem.  

You should not install carpeting in such areas as close to sinks and drinking fountains.  

It would be best to allow professional mold inspections regularly to detect mold growth as and when it occurs. 

  1. Condensation Prone Areas Are Highly Susceptible to Mold Growth 

Since mold needs water to grow, frequent condensation can develop mold problems. Condensation often happens on cool surfaces such as windows, floors, roofs, exterior walls, and piping.  

You can control condensation and ensuing mold growth by installing insulation on such surfaces where possible.  

  1. Quick Drying Is Necessary to Prevent Mold Growth in Case of Water Spillage 

If there is water spillage in any area, you should take care to dry it within 24 to 48 hours to avoid mold growth. This applies to furnishings and other objects as well.  

  1. High Humidity Promotes Mold Growth 

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, humidity should be around 30 to 50 percent. Humidity levels over 60 percent might provide moisture that could lead to mold growth.   

  1. Mold Can Also Grow at Lower Temperatures 

One common misconception is that mold grows only in warm climates. But the truth is that numerous mold varieties can thrive even at lower temperatures.  

There is Something You Can Do About Mold Growth 

The best course of action is to call experts at regular intervals to detect mold and moisture problems.  

If you suspect mold growth, then there is no need to panic. All you have to do is to get in touch with professionals at Clean Air Xperts, who will carry out a comprehensive mold inspection and remediate mold growth.   

Contact us today: (561) 244-7900; you can also email us at customerservice@cleanairxperts.com. 

Categories Mold Damage

How Does Mold Damage Affect Your Health?

Mildewed walls with different sorts of mold

Mold is a fungus, and it can grow on anything. When mold grows indoors, it usually appears on porous materials that have been wet with excess humidity or water damage. One of the most common places to find mold in your home is under the kitchen sink – where cleaners are stored. However, many people do not realize how dangerous mold exposure can be, especially for those with allergies or compromised immune systems. With this in mind, this blog post will explore the top five ways how mold damage affects your health.

1. Allergic Reactions

Mold spores are everywhere, and they can easily be inhaled or ingested. Exposure to even a few spores can lead to an allergic reaction in healthy individuals. Allergic reactions to mold include sneezing, itchy eyes, coughing, scratchy throat, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. With that being said, those who have compromised immune systems are at a higher risk of developing mold allergies.

2. Respiratory Problems

Mold spores are very small, so they easily enter your lungs when you breathe them in or swallow them after they’ve contaminated food or water. Once they are in the body, they can start growing, which causes respiratory problems. These problems most frequently include a chronic cough with phlegm or wheezing.

3. Skin Irritation

Once the spores enter your body, they can cause skin irritation as well. Itching and redness are common reactions to mold spores. Skin that becomes irritated easily may be more likely to develop a rash or become infected if it becomes broken or raw due to scratching. Those with allergies or compromised immune systems should take extra care not to come into contact with mold, as it can cause rash or infection that is very difficult to treat. Or else, if mold forms on your home kindly contact a mold removal company.

4. Infections

When the skin becomes irritated and breaks open, it creates an opportunity for infections. If your immune system is not strong enough to fight off a simple scratch, you are at risk of developing a systemic fungal infection from touching or ingesting mold spores. People with compromised immune systems are most at risk of a fungal infection, but a healthy individual can also develop a serious fungal or yeast infection from mold exposure.

5. Chronic Sinus Problems

Mold damage can cause chronic sinus problems when they are inhaled. A stuffy nose, headache, and thick nasal discharge may persist for months or even years after the original exposure to mold spores. This chronic condition is known as allergic fungal sinusitis (AFS), and it occurs in 7 out of 100 people as a chronic condition, according to the US National Library of Medicine.

Conclusion:

If you notice mold in your home or business, it is important to have the problem corrected as soon as possible. Mold is dangerous, especially for those with allergies or compromised immune systems. If you notice signs of mold exposure anywhere in your home, contact Clean Air Xperts, a professional, primarily a mold removal company to have it treated immediately!

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