Why Worry About Mold?

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During the winter months your home tends to be kept at warmer temperatures and often includes a level of moisture, especially if the weather has included rain and snow. This is when mold can gain a foothold in your home and starts spreading in areas you least expect it.

So What Is Mold Actually?

Molds are a type of fungus and there are many types of mold. Some mold is more prevalent indoors while many common molds grow outside as well. Mold spores cannot be eradicated entirely and will almost always be present in your home, reducing its possibility of growth means removing factors such as warmth and moisture, which may not always be possible.

Mold is also a very opportunistic fungus which is able to grow on a variety of surfaces, even those you may not expect to be suitable, such as wood, paper and fabric or even in the drywall. Penicillin is a mold that is commonly found on stale bread!  The colors of mold can vary greatly as well, from black, blue, green to yellow or white and it can look rough or fuzzy depending on the surface it has adhered to.

What Are The Potential Effects Of Mold In The Home?

While not all molds are harmful, many molds can trigger allergies and negatively affect people with respiratory conditions. Some molds can give off irritants and even mycotoxins that can be damaging to your health.  Mold allergies present as itchy eyes, nose and throat, sneezing, runny nose or blocked nose and eyes that water a lot. The allergies can also trigger asthma. Inhaling spores from the aspergillus mold can even cause serious conditions such as bronchopulmonary aspergillosis which is a lung infection that can lead to long term scarring of the lungs and difficulty breathing.

So How Do You Combat Mold In Your Home?

The best way is to reduce moisture levels. If there are water spills in your home ensure they are cleaned up promptly and not left to soak into carpeting, insulation, flooring, cupboards and more. Improve ventilation in your home by using extractor fans or opening windows. Don’t dry your clothing indoors and avoid kerosene heaters.  Less moisture means there is less chance of mold taking hold in your home.

What Do I Do If I Find A Large Mold Contamination?

For large mold contamination or the typical ‘black mold’ becomes a problem in your home, it is often better to call in a professional to do a thorough clean up of the mold in your home. The can assess various surfaces as well as ascertain what is causing the mold and give advice on reducing future mold growth. While items that are thoroughly infiltrated by mold such as wood and furniture may not be able to be salvaged, many other items can be rescued by deep cleaning using steam.

A professional mold remediation company will wear the correct protective clothing and have the right tools and chemicals to deal with your mold contamination. This may save you from a long term problem as they should also be able to find the source of the problem and give you advice on mold resistance for the future.