Discovering a mold issue in your home can be an eerie feeling; not only are you discovering a mold issue that you had no idea was there, but the place where you feel the safest is suddenly a potential health hazard for you and your family.
To make matters worse, mold often develops in areas where you may not notice it right away, such as under sinks, inside walls, or in attics or basements, so by the time you do discover the mold issue, the mold contamination can already be significant.
What Is Mold and Why Does It Grow?
Mold is a type of fungus that thrives in warm, moist, and humid environments. Unfortunately, the very climates we create to make our homes comfortable can also be ideal for mold growth. So when mold spores in the air settle in an area with the right environment for growth, mold problems can easily develop inside our homes.
Since we already maintain our homes at temperatures conducive to mold growth, the only element that mold still needs for growth is a moisture source, but where can that come from? Some of the most common moisture issues that lead to mold growth include plumbing leaks, roof leaks, and humidity issues in basements, attics, and bathrooms. Even natural disasters such as floods can exacerbate the problem, leaving moisture trapped in walls, flooring, and furniture.
Signs of Mold in Your Home
One of the most challenging aspects of dealing with mold is that it can often remain hidden for months or even years. However, there are tell-tale signs to watch out for:
• Musty Odor: Mold often emits a damp, earthy smell. If you detect this odor, especially in enclosed spaces like basements, attics, or bathrooms, it may be a sign of hidden mold growth.
• Visible Growth: Mold can appear as black, green, blue, white, or brown spots or streaks on surfaces such as walls, ceilings, and grout lines.
• Water Damage or Stains: Discoloration on walls, ceilings, or floors could indicate moisture issues, which are breeding grounds for mold.
• Health Symptoms: Persistent allergic reactions such as sneezing, coughing, or itchy eyes, especially when indoors, could signal mold exposure.
The Health Risks of Mold
Mold isn’t just an aesthetic issue, it poses significant health risks. Mold issues commonly trigger allergic reactions, asthma attacks, and other respiratory problems in those exposed to mold growth and its spores. Some studies have even linked long-term mold exposure to serious health conditions such as anxiety and depression, insomnia, fatigue, recurring infections, hair loss, and autoimmune issues!
People with weakened immune systems, children, and the elderly are particularly vulnerable. Some molds have been identified to produce mycotoxins that can affect occupants as well and the full effects of exposure to these mycotoxins is still being understood.
What to Do if You Discover Mold
Discovering mold in your home can be overwhelming, but acting swiftly and effectively is crucial. Here’s a step-by-step guide to tackling the issue:
Prevent Cross-Contamination
Mold issues can easily spread to, or contaminate, other parts of your home, so it’s important to take steps to prevent accidental cross-contamination to areas that may not already be affected. Here are some tips to prevent cross-contamination:
• If it’s believed that mold growth may exist inside wall cavities, opening up these cavities could create an opportunity for mold spores to contaminate other parts of your home. As a result, it’s important to use caution when opening up or tearing out walls, ceilings, or floors where mold growth may be present. It’s often recommended to consult with an expert that is qualified in Mold Remediation services.
• Don’t move contents and furniture from the area if it may be contaminated with mold growth or spores. This is actually a common cause for cross-contamination and can greatly complicate a mold issue. Carefully inspect any furniture or content items before moving them to another place in your home.
• Cleaning or spraying mold growth can cause mold spores to be released into the air where they have a higher potential of contaminating other areas of your home. As a result, it’s recommended to consult a professional Mold Remediation Company before attempting to clean a mold issue yourself.
Assess the Situation
It can be difficult to determine the extent of mold problems because mold issues often develop in areas that you can’t see, such as inside wall cavities or above ceilings. As a result, while you may attempt to assess the mold issue in your home, you may not recognize areas where hidden growth is likely or what potential cross-contamination risks may exist. In many cases, it is recommended to have a qualified Mold Remediation Professional inspect your mold issue to assess these risks and develop a plan to address the mold issue effectively.
Address the Source of Moisture
Mold will continue to grow if the underlying moisture issue isn’t resolved. Fix leaks, improve ventilation, and use dehumidifiers to control indoor humidity levels.
It’s important to note that addressing the moisture issue alone will not resolve mold contamination problems, as the mold growth and spores will continue to impact the quality of your indoor air and your health.
Remove the Mold Growth and Spores
To properly address mold issues, removing the visible mold growth isn’t enough, the mold spores must be addressed as well. A qualified Mold Remediation firm will contain the work area to prevent cross-contamination during the project, will remove building materials like drywall that may be contaminated with mold, detail clean any surfaces that are not removed, and filter mold spores out of the air.
This is a proven process that prevents cross-contamination and effectively addresses mold issues in homes and commercial properties.
Preventing Mold Growth
With the proper precautions, mold issues can be prevented entirely. Here are some proactive steps to keep your home mold-free:
• Control Humidity Levels: Maintain indoor humidity below 50%. Use dehumidifiers and air conditioners as needed.
• Improve Ventilation: Use exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens, and ensure that air can circulate freely in all rooms.
• Fix Leaks Promptly: Address plumbing, roof, or foundation leaks as soon as they occur to prevent moisture and humidity issues that lead to mold growth.
• Insulate Cold Surfaces: Prevent condensation by insulating windows, pipes, and exterior walls.
• Clean Regularly: Regularly clean areas prone to moisture, such as shower tiles and window sills, to prevent mold from gaining a foothold.
When to Call in the Experts
While homeowners will often attempt to address a mold issue on their own, doing so is not without risk, as a mold issue can become much worse if the mold growth spreads or other areas of the home are contaminated. If the mold covers a large area, there’s potential for hidden mold growth behind cabinets, inside walls, or above ceilings, or if it’s growing in your HVAC system, it’s recommended to enlist the help of qualified Mold Remediation specialist like your local Disaster Blaster. We have the expertise and equipment to safely and effectively address mold problems.
Discovering mold in your home can be unsettling, but it’s not insurmountable. By acting quickly, addressing the root cause, and taking preventive measures, you can restore your home to a safe and healthy environment. As always, if you do discover a mold issue, we’re always happy to help!