Is Mold Making Your Home Less Than Healthy?
Molds are microscopic fungi that grow very rapidly in moist conditions. Molds are sometimes good news – penicillin comes from a type of mold, and some drinks and foods are made from molds. However, when molds grow in an uncontrolled way in your home without your knowledge, they can be bad news. Molds create an unpleasant odor, unsightly mildew, and even potentially dangerous health conditions.
More than 270 species of mold might be growing in your home right now. All molds need to thrive is nutrients and moisture. Mold can develop your home if your home is not well ventilated or if you have leaks in your home, structural damage, or produce lots of moisture from daily activities such as cooking, washing up, and doing laundry. If your home is poorly ventilated, moisture cannot escape your home and becomes trapped, creating perfect conditions for mold to grow.
Mold can damage your possessions but can also release chemicals and spores that can be hazardous to your health. Mold can aggravate allergies and can also exacerbate respiratory ailments. Children, the elderly and the ill are especially vulnerable to its effects.
If you notice discoloration or a mildew odor in your home, you may have mold. You can also have an environmental assessment of your home conducted to find out whether you have mold. If you have small patches of mold, clean the spots with a detergent solution, but be sure to wear a dust mask for protection. You might wish to light some candles after cleaning to get rid of mildew odors and the odors of the cleaning chemicals. If you have larger amounts of mold, you will need professional help.
If your home has lots of mold, if your home is very damp, if you cannot deal with the mold yourself, or if you or your family are having health problems as a result of the mold, you may need to evacuate your home until your home can be made healthy again. This might be a chance for you to look into some vacation packages or a temporary vacation home. Do not return to your home until a professional tells you that your home is safe.
You can prevent your home from becoming moldy by keeping your home dry. Run a dehumidifier in areas that are very damp. Remove excessive clutter from your home, since clutter creates hidden places where mold can grow. If you have lots of shelving, for example, mold can grow behind the shelves without you knowing about. Get some storage space and remove many of your possessions from your home until you can get the mold under control. Throw away or thoroughly clean any items in your home that are affected by mold. If you do not, mold can easily reappear. Also, be sure to clean regularly and vacuum all surfaces with a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter vacuum. This can help remove spores and traces of mold. Fix any water leaks at once to help prevent moisture in your home. If you have any doubts about the mold in your home, call a professional at once.
