Why is Mold in Your Home Such a Big Deal?
To a homeowner, mold in your home stinks both literally and figuratively. You may think that a few spots of mold in your home are not a big deal, however, it’s a sign that something more serious is going on inside your abode. The potential for respiratory problems increases as your mold problem grows. Mold does not get better or go away on its own. It is a fungus that you will have to face head-on.
Mold is a living fungus that requires the perfect temperature range, moisture percentage, and organic material to thrive. Unfortunately, your home provides a welcoming environment for all three. The comfortable indoor temperatures are the ideal breeding ground and the structural elements used to make your home give the organic materials. Lastly, humidity provides moisture.
Mold is costly to repair. It feeds on the structural components of the home and can cause widespread damage. Additionally, mold produces reproductive spores as it releases into the air. Your breathing may suffer, and you may experience the following problems if you have mold in your home:
•Nasal Congestion
•Sneezing
•Dry Eye or Irritation
•Wheezing
•Skin Rashes
•Asthma Attacks
•Chronic Respiratory Infections and Irritations
Microscopic mold spores can be found anywhere in your home. To combat this problem, maintain a dry house that is well ventilated. Do you think you have a mold problem? Here are the five most common signs:
1. Water Leaks or Previous Problems with Moisture
If you have had a recent water leak, you may see evidence on your walls, near the ceiling, or around the windows and doors. Windows are naturally prone to condensation, but it is also a sign that humidity levels in your home are not right.
2. Visible Patches
You may see mold splotches on your walls or ceiling. They can be any color from black to blue, green, grey, or even orange. In most cases, mold patches take on a rounded appearance, but that is not always true.
3. Musty Smell in Your Home
Have you ever been in an attic or basement that had a distinct musty smell? Anywhere there is access to moisture is a potential problem area for mold. Even old carpeting and pads can harbor this unsightly fungus. If the conditions are right, you can grow mold. Plus, the smell is one of the key indications that you have a problem.
4. Constant Allergies or Respiratory Problems
It is hard to blame mold for respiratory problems, especially when there are so many things that can cause them. Consequently, if you already have a sensitive respiratory system, mold can make your flare-ups worse. If your breathing problems do not get any better with medication, or if they return time and again and affect you more when inside your home, then you may want to check your home for these pesky spores.
5. Advice from a Professional
Some home inspectors offer mold inspections, so if you are noticing these signs of mold in your home, you should hire a professional to inspect it. If necessary, the inspector can refer you to a mold removal service.
Preventing and Controlling Mold in Your Home
If you have mold in your home, you may just want to spray bleach water on it to kill the spores. While that may kill that spores, it does not take care of the primary problem that caused the mold in the first place. Address mold by doing the following:
•Addressing moisture problems
•Upgrade the HVAC equipment to include humidity control
•Repair or replace windows
•Fix and seal any cracks in the windows, doors, roofline, or other areas
•Use a whole-home ventilation
If you suspect that you have mold in your home, then you need to call for assistance immediately. Your breathing and the structural integrity of your home depend on it.
Cabal Inspection Services provides inspection services, including mold inspections, to home buyers, home sellers, and homeowners in southeast Florida, including Miami-Dade, Broward, and Monroe counties. Call us at 305-256-7369 or click here to contact us today!