Dangers of Living in a House with Mold

Dangers of Living in a House with Mold: 
The Risks of Living in a House with Mold Infestation?

Dangers of Living in a House with Mold you should know. What is mold, anyway? Mold refers to any kind of unwanted fungi that can be found just about anywhere! It actively grows where there is dampness, humidity, and moisture. And when it actively grows, it can damage not only the structure but also the lives of the people who inhabit the place. 

You might be asking now, ‘Really? How can that be when a mold is just some patch of unappealing growth?’ It usually appears black, brown, green, or yellow in color. Some species might also be pinkish in appearance.  But one thing’s for sure, they all have this musty smell that is anything but pleasant to the nose. And yes, molds have thousands of species that will take forever to enumerate one by one.

Mold formation can usually be found in these areas of the house: basements, bathrooms, kitchens, cellars, attics, and anywhere that is prone to leak and doesn’t have proper air ventilation. They can also thrive on carpets, air conditioning systems, and on places that you least expect them.

That is why being adequately educated about molds and the severity of its effects is essential. It can help you save your family, your friends, and your home. Molds can even be present in your vehicles. And every single day that you’re exposed to it, your health is in grave danger. 

Just imagine living in a house infested with molds, and you spend more than half of your day in it, or your children sleeping soundly in their bedrooms without knowing that they are already taking in spores as they breathe.  

The dangers of living in a house with mold infestation are unimaginable. Aside from the uncomfortable feeling that you get at their sight and smell, the damage to your health is unthinkable! They can cause respiratory problems and allergies that can be deadly if not taken seriously. Asthma is one of the conditions usually associated with molds. The most common symptoms may include difficulty in breathing, wheezing, sneezing, itchy eyes, and more.

So if you have asthma and you live in a house with molds, you’ll be in agony every waking day. You’d be suffering and having a bad day, one after the next, without knowing that it’s your reaction to these fungi that cause it all. And you wouldn’t want to be in that situation, right? Let alone watch your children getting sick just because you chose to ignore your mold problem.

Do not take molds for granted because they expand really fast, and before you know it, the situation is out of hand. A home is supposed to be a safe haven for your family, especially your children. If you do not have the time to take care of the problem yourself, then at least contact the professionals to do the job for you. There are numerous mold remediation companies in the world, and one would be more than willing to solve your problem for you.

Dangers of Living in a House with Mold – What You Should Know First

The moment that you discover that mold has been growing in an area or areas in your house, the first smart thing to do is to call a professional. You may try to get rid of it yourself, but sometimes your ‘do-it-yourself’ efforts can do more harm than good. 

So what you would like to do is call an inspector. The main job of this person is to discover the root cause of your mold problem. Mold remediation companies usually do not cater to infestations that are less than 10 square feet. Also, you’d probably won’t think of hiring a remediation company if the growth is within control.

It is best to have someone with in-depth knowledge to take a look at the situation before deciding what to do. A professional mold inspector will be able to give you helpful insights and even direct you to the best remediation company if necessary. What’s the sign that you should call one? If you find out that there is mold growing in your drywall, trim, or any unfinished wood surface. But be sure to check the credentials before you hire someone.

The cost of hiring a professional mold inspector should be around $200 to $600 for a site visit. One visit will take about 2 to 5 hours, depending on the severity of the situation. The inspector will take samples from the air and surfaces, and may even open up walls to find out where the molds are coming from. And for your information, the laboratory tests have a different cost but nothing that shouldn’t be worth the result.

Dangers of Living in a House with Mold:  Includes Allergies of All Sorts

As mentioned earlier, a mold infestation can cause allergic reactions to some people. If exposed to the presence of mold, these people will suffer from the symptoms of asthma, rhinitis, or whatever health issue that they have. 

However, keep in mind that being allergic to one kind of mold does not make you susceptible to every species. And that’s good news, right? There are just some certain molds that trigger allergic reactions to people. And once you have discovered which one it is, the best you can do is to avoid it.

Asthma is the most common respiratory problem associated with mold. If you have this condition, being exposed to mold will make you sneeze, wheeze, experience itchiness, and more. But other health conditions can be triggered by the presence of mold. There is a thing called ‘toxic mold,’ and it is said that it is associated with sick building syndrome. Although it is still unproven, this can cause obstructive health conditions that can get out of hand.

Mold is a fungus that can cause simple health hazards such as athlete’s foot, hay fever, fingernail infections, pneumonia, and more. It multiplies utilizing spores that are circulated through the air but land and thrives on different surfaces. The formation of mold is triggered by moisture, dampness, dirt, dust, and the like. So you can tell by now that one way to eliminate this toxic element is to keep your surroundings spick and span!

 But since mold can exist anywhere, there is actually no way to eliminate it completely. What you can do though is to control its growth and keep it from going out of hand. But for your information, the types of mold that can cause allergies include Alternaria, Penicillium, Cladosporium, and more.

Dangers of Living in a House with Mold – Check Your Air Conditioners and Humidifiers

Mold can exist anywhere, even in your air conditioners and humidifiers. Yes, you’ve read that right. Even the things that we rely on to prevent the presence of mold can be the very source of this hazardous component. 

What you can do to prevent this from happening is to keep your units clean and dust-free all the time. If the dirt can still be controlled by simple cleaning, then you can roll up your sleeves and get to it. However, if the situation is obviously beyond your control, please do not hesitate to contact the professionals.