Types Of Harmful Mold That May Be Lurking In Your Home
While mold is found virtually everywhere you go and is not always harmful, there are certain types of mold or fungi that can pose a serious health risk to you and your family if they are present in your home. Here are a few of the most common species of toxic mold that can grow inside homes wherever there are wet surfaces or water damage, and a few tips for what to do if you think there might be harmful mold in your home.
Do Most Homes Have Mold
Every house, every environment has mold spores. It becomes an issue when the concentration of mold spores in a home is greater than what is found outside. … The temperature in most houses is almost always ideal for mold growth. Mold feeds on dust or dirt, which is nearly impossible to eradicate from a home.
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What To Do If You Suspect Your Home Has Toxic Mold
Because toxic mold exposure can be a serious health threat, its important that you get professional help if you think you might have dangerous mold in your home. The first step is to have your home professionally tested for mold. This should involve a thorough inspection for any water damage or mold growth found on materials in your home, as well as an air quality test to check for airborne spores. This entire process typically takes an hour or less to perform.
Next, samples will be sent to an environmental testing laboratory to determine if there are harmful species of mold in your home. If needed, you can then call in a mold remediation company to remove the toxic mold in your home and get to the bottom of any remaining sources of water damage.
Once the mold has been remediated, a clearance air test can be performed to ensure that the mold levels in your home are safe.
Natural Ways To Prevent Mold Exposure In Your Home
Since the 1950s, when drywall began replacing plaster, reports of mold infections have significantly increased. The presence of moisture can cause drywall and practically every other home construction surface to grow molds and other fungi, none of which are good for us.
Its estimated that half the buildings in the U.S. may be water damaged. Construction methods in the U.S. can be a feast for mold and fungi, which thrive on drywall and wood. Our homes are often built of these soft materials rather than stone or brick, as is more common in Europe.
Mold flourishes in dark and moist environments. A small drip from a leaky toilet, shower, or sink is all it takes to create a major mold problem. Some studies have linked higher rates of asthma in some communities to living in older homes that are poorly maintained and harbor moisture leaks, which can produce mold populations.
A roof leak may initiate a mold problem. If you see a stain on the ceiling or wall, its a good bet theres a hidden mold growth behind it. Mold also can lurk behind the walls of a shower, as well as in air ducts, crawl spaces, attics, basements, and other areas inside your house.
If you suspect that youve been exposed to mold, its essential to remove yourself from the environment until it can be cleaned up. Mold exposure can be toxic to brain function, including memory and other cognitive functions.
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The Paint Is Bubbling On Your Walls
Have you noticed that the paint is bubbling on the walls of your bathroom or near a window? One of the most common reasons paint begins to bubble is moisture. And where theres moisture, theres probably mold. You wont be able to cover up the problem with a fresh coat of paint you have to find the source of the moisture. It could be a leaky windowsill, too much humidity, or leaky plumbing. Once you fix the moisture issue, then you can repaint. Just make sure to scrape, patch, clean, and thoroughly dry the walls before rolling on the first coat. Watch out for these sneaky everyday objects you touch every day that can be toxic.
Toxic Mold: How It Survives
Mold lives off of any organic matter and loves a warm, humid environment. This includes your leather jacket, a peach, old newspapers, bathroom walls, windowsills, ceilings, and wall-paper. Most often, mildew, which is a form of mold or fungus, infects our living or workspaces when there is a high level of moisture, like a musty basement or a shower wall. It comes in through our walls, windows, doors, carpets, or under the refrigerator.
Mold spores can also be carried in on our clothing, shoes, pets and our bodies. Doctors warn against breathing in mold over long periods of time. Often times, our homes and offices are infested with toxic mold and mildew. And, because it can hide in cracks in our walls, as well as other invisible places, most of us are unaware that we are being exposed to the extremely harmful effects.
Today, mold growth in homes and places of work is more of a health issue than we may think. So it’s important that you recognize the symptoms of mold in your home, and take steps to protect yourself and your family.
For further information, please read this blog post about how to get rid of mold.
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What Causes Attic Mold
Seasonal and holiday decorations are typically stored here which means that entrance happens only twice per year. This means that attic mold will often go overlooked, especially if there is poor lighting or no lighting in the attic space. If you cannot see the mold, and do not already take preventative measures to fight against the attic mold, and then you will not know it is there until you attempt to move out, or suffer damage which requires an inspection of your home.
Attic mold is toxic and if it is growing in your attic and goes unchecked, it can account for health issues suffered by your family which might otherwise be attributed to the common cold. The first step in preventing attic mold is being able to identify it.
Is Indoor Mold Dangerous
If youve recently started experiencing a runny nose, watery eyes, a dry cough, or skin irritation, you may be experiencing symptoms of mold exposure.
Whether or not indoor mold is harmful depends on how much exposure youve had to mold. Typically a few days wont affect you, but weeks or months of exposure can have harmful and sometimes long-lasting effects.
If youre experiencing the symptoms of mold exposure, chances are youve had mold in your home for quite some time. But how long does it take to start feeling the effects, and how much mold exposure is harmful?
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What If My House Has Mold
To clean or remove mold: Wipe hard surfaces with a suitable commercial product, soap and water, or a heavily diluted bleach solution. Always dry the surfaces after use to prevent mold from reappearing. Wash or wipe porous surfaces and check regularly to see if mold has returned, as it can infiltrate these materials.
How To Remove Mold Growth Effectively
If you do find mold growing inside the home, its best to remove it completely and immediately. This means throwing away any spoiled food items and cleaning mold from walls, carpets, and furnishings using professional cleaning products. Its important not to just caulk or paint over mold in the bathroom, kitchen, or basement. It should be fully removed and the area dried and cleaned first.
Finally, after you remove mold growth, its important to fix the problem that caused it to grow indoors immediately. If you dont, the mold will just grow back. To find a professional to help waterproof your basement or crawl space, install dehumidifiers, or recommend professional mold removal products, please contact your local Groundworks basement waterproofing, foundation repair, and crawl space repair experts to learn how you can protect your home and your family.
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Mold In The Workplace
Some workplaces, such as poorly ventilated factories, greenhouses, and vineyards, may house large amounts of mold.
Any workplace that contains lots of old paper products, such as used book stores, may be a source of mold. Paper contains cellulose, an organic food source that certain mold species thrive upon. Old books thatve been housed in humid conditions may be filled with millions of mold spores.
Farms and stables may also harbor large amounts of moldy hay. Mold toxins often develop in hay after a delayed harvest. Hay that contains mold is dangerous for humans to breathe in and for horses to eat.
What Are The Side Effects Of Mold In My House
When its in an area you dont access on a regular basis, you may not notice any mold growth until youre smelling a stale, musty odor. And by then? You could already be suffering from the side effects. As soon as you detect that tell-tale odor, please investigate or call a professional for the sake of your and your familys health.
Breathing in mold spores can cause a wide range of symptoms. According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, these are the most common ones:
- Nasal and sinus congestion
The National Capital Poison Center also reminds us that damp spaces with mold are also likely to have other nasty contaminants. These include by-products that occur as part of molds growing process.
As mold breaks down the surfaces in your home, it may be releasing dust mites, bacteria, chemicals, gasses, and particulate matter. Dust mites and chemical odors can be similarly irritating to your sinuses, adding to the congestion or allergic reactions you already have.
Mold growth and wood decay are clearly visible on the beam.This picture was taken by an Acculevel project manager during a routine free estimate.
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Health Effects Of Black Mold
According to the EPA, various types of mold can cause health problems for some people. Those health problems are primarily in the form of allergies such as stuffy head, headache, itchy eyes, trouble breathing, etc. These ailments can be more severe in the young, the old, and those with other health issues. The CDC basically says the same thing that mold can cause health issues in some people, or no issues in other people.
According to the CDC, Stachybotrys black mold is unproven to cause serious medical issues beyond those mentioned above. In other words, symptoms of black mold are only proven to be similar to other molds. The CDC simply states that various types of mold may cause health symptoms, to consult with a doctor if symptoms persist, and that no color or type of mold belongs in a building.
You may be thinking: If all we know for sure is that mold causes allergies in some people, and maybe some serious health problems in a small percentage of other people, then whats the big deal?
Well, our answer to that is to imagine yourself as one of those people who are sensitive to mold. Constant allergies, constantly feeling sick, and miserable in your own home. Theres even a scientific name for it: Sick Building Syndrome . Mold, along with other problems such as radon, Chinese drywall, etc., can cause Sick Building Syndrome. Suffering through Sick Building Syndrome is a terrible way to live, and we wouldnt wish it upon our worst enemy!
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Your Asthma Is Acting Up
Mold spores can find their way into the lungs and trigger asthma symptoms. One study found that dampness or mold in houses could account for one in five cases of asthma in the United States. If your asthma seems to be getting worse, you may have undetected mold in your house, according to the Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America. The group warns that mold can also cause a rare but more serious condition called allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis: This is a dramatic allergic and inflammatory reaction that leads to severe sneezing, coughing, and shortness of breath.
What Symptoms Does Mold Exposure Cause
Mold exposure can cause a variety of symptoms. These include a stuffy nose, red eyes, a sore throat, and wheezing. These symptoms become more severe if you have a mold allergy. People with severe allergies to mold can experience shortness of breath.
For people who are very old or very young, mold exposure can be especially harmful. Individuals with asthma can experience a worsening of symptoms. Those who are immunocompromised may be at risk of fungal infections.
Mold exposure, especially exposure to harmful black mold, is thought to have a toxic effect on the body. There is little evidence to support the idea that exposure to harmful mold spores can cause mycotoxicosis, or mold-poisoning. Youre more likely to experience mold-poisoning if you eat moldy foods.
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How Toxic Is Mold
Any mold that produces mycotoxinsthe myco refers to fungusis toxic, and it can be quite poisonous. One of the more alarming varieties is Stachybotrys chartarum: Dense, black, and usually present where moisture has been a long-term, unresolved issue, like a damp basement or in an abandoned home, this fungus can trigger a suite of health issues, like persistent headaches, diarrhea, breathing trouble, and more. But other types can also cause issues, warns the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention : All molds should be treated the same with respect to potential health risks and removal. These are the signs of mold that you should be looking out for. Plus, learn the other ways your house could be making you sick.
Can I Remove White Mold Myself
Yes, you can remove mold from your home yourself so long as the mold covers an area of less than 10 square feet, you can remove it yourself just so long as youre very careful! It isnt wise to touch or breathe in mold and therefore to protect your skin and lungs, good ventilation, gloves, safety glasses and an adequate mask are vital if you plan to remove the mold yourself.
This 10 square feet rule of thumb comes from the EPA who also advises that if you choose to hire a company to do the removal for you, to make sure the contractor has experience cleaning up mold. There are a number of guidelines a mold removal company should follow to remove the mold form you home safely. To learn more, check out the EPA site here.
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How Can I Get Rid Of Mold And Prevent Regrowth
Now that weve answered, Is bathroom mold dangerous? its time to decipher the correct way to dispose of and prevent the regrowth of mold buildup. Not surprisingly, the best way to rid yourself of the problem is to maintain a sanitary and healthy atmosphere.
Make it part of your weekly cleaning schedule to take a bucket of warm water and a dense scrubbing brush to clean your grout and tiles. Also, add baking soda, vinegar, or mold-deterring products to your cleaning regimen to eradicate soap buildup and other contaminants in which mold derives and feeds.
Other things you should consider are as follows:
Dangers Of White Mold To Your Health
White mold is not good for your health and like all other molds, it can be particularly problematic for people with allergies or asthma. Another worry we should have if we locate white mold in our home is the damage it could be doing to the structures which stabilize our property.
Its generally agreed that touching, swallowing and breathing in mold and its spores isnt good for the health, and the CDC says that in some individuals well see symptoms such as sneezing, sore throats and rashes, with more serious issues such as breathing difficulties in those with allergies or a compromised immune system. It is thought that prolonged exposure increases the health-damaging effects, and unfortunately white mold is harder to spot than its darker fungal relatives.
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Persistent Cough Or Cold
Have you been fighting a cough that just wont seem to go away? Prolonged exposure to mold mayexacerbate respiratory illnesses, like persistent or recurring bronchitis and pneumonia. The first line of defense is to consult with your doctor for treatment and to rule out any other underlying illnesses. If there are other indications of a mold problem in your home, this must also be treated by professionals promptly and comprehensively.
Are you suffering from a pesky cough or cold that just doesn’t seem to go away? Mold in your home may be to blame. To treat the problem promptly and comprehensively, call the experts at ProClean Pensacola at 484-8500. #MoldRemoval#MoldRemediation#PersistentCough
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