Household mold is more than just an eyesore. A type of fungus that can be found both inside and outside your door, mold is often characterized as unsightly patches of varying colors (from black and brown to green and yellow) with fuzzy growths and can emit bad odors. They are found almost everywhere; mold thrive in moist and damp environments. Naturally, they’re more of a nuisance inside a home, as they can reside behind drywall or under the carpet.
But besides being unsightly, molds are a danger for several reasons — reasons that require the immediate need for mold removal due to the gravity of its effects,
Destroy your home
While molds can seem innocuous, they can actually pose a threat to your home. Depending on the type of mold. When found outdoors, it can break down or destroy organic matter — whether it is the wood of a tree or leaves and grass. The same can be expected at home. Because of the damage, it can do to organic matter, mold can affect the structural integrity of your home. It can destroy your home — or even your belongings.
Mold can grow in any part of your home — but most commonly it can found it shower stalls, carpet, damp clothes; any area where there is high moisture or humidity. They can also grow in furniture, drywall, and areas around plumbing where they can pose risks to a house’s structure.
Letting mold grow at home won’t just be an unsightly aesthetic problem; it can also lead to a need for extensive renovations to fix the damage caused by the fungi. Thus, it is imperative to look at mold removal options immediately when presence of mold is seen at a household.
Health risk
But more than being a risk to the physical attribute of a house.
Exposure to mold or environments with the presence of mold can cause a number of adverse health effects. The mold at your home itself isn’t toxic (although some are). However, most people are allergic or sensitive to mold. This means that once they are exposed to mold, they can experience uncomfortable symptoms due to mold allergy — a type of allergy that many people are not aware they have.
Allergic reactions to mold may vary from person to person, but the usual symptoms include clogged noses and nasal stiffness, coughing, and eye, skin and throat irritations. Some may experience more severe reactions such as asthma, depending on the severity of their allergy to mold. People who are immuno-compromised or with lung illnesses are also at serious risk of getting more serious infections due to prolonged exposure to mold.
One can easily control mold growth at home by controlling humidity levels and cleaning the house after floods or heavy rains. Fixing leaking roofs, pipes, showers, and laundry areas — in short, areas prone to high humidity and moisture — can also prevent the growth of mold.
Yet, at times, mold growth cannot be removed and stopped via simple means. It is best to look at mold removal services and options to ensure the safety of your home and your health.
Mold can cause big issues at home and pose potential health issues that put you and your family at risk. Need mold removal? Contact us today at AfterDisaster
