Is Living in a House with Mold Hazardous?
While mold plays a big part in nature, it is a nuisance in your house. Fortunately, most kinds of mold are generally harmless, but a tiny spot can grow to large proportions. Mold procreates using spores that are released into the air and causes illness when breathed in by those with mold sensitivities or asthma. According to a few studies, there is a correlation between an early exposure to mold and the development of asthma in some younger children. Household mold is nontoxic for most people, but can hurt those with pulmonary conditions. Typically, the amount of mold and severity of someone's allergies will effect their response. If you have a mold allergy, you'll probably have cold-like symptoms like sneezing or a runny nose when you're around mold. More severe allergies may result in harsh reactions like shortness of breath. Anyone with asthma should be particularly cautious around large populations of mold because it may trigger asthma attacks. Additional groups at risk include:- Infants and toddlers
- Those 65 and up
- Immune compromised individuals
- People with chronic lung disease
Where is Mold Found?
Mildew and mold can build up over time in damp places. Your home can get a mold infestation through open doors, windows, vents and HVAC systems. Mold doesn't only enter your home through doors and windows-- it can also fasten onto your clothes, bags, animals and shoes and be brought indoors. If the amount of mold in your home continues to grow, it can impact the health of your family, your possessions and the building itself. Mold growth typically occurs in moist places, but it can be found in places you might not think to look. These include:- Paper products
- Ceiling tiles
- Cardboard
- Wood products
- Paints
- Insulation
- Drywall
- Upholstery
How to Stop Mold in your House
There are preventative steps you can take to ensure that mold doesn't make its way into your home. Here's some steps you can take:- Create ventilation in showers, laundry rooms and kitchen
- Control the humidity levels in your home
- In the case of a flood, meticulously clean and dry your home
- Repair leaky roofs, windows and pipes as soon as possible
- Call your local mold damage repair specialists for affordable mold removal