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According to The Weather Channel, there are more than 100,000 species of mold the world over — so it’s no wonder that it can eventually end up in unwanted places in your home. But how can you tell if you have a mold infestation in your abode? Just Ask Your Nose… According to the Centers for Disease Control, large mold infestations can be detected by sight (dark spots on the shower tile grout for example) and by a musty odor. People with allergies may notice a flare up in their symptoms if mold is present in the home. How Mold Gets in Your Home If you detect mold growing in your home, it is often a result of a problem with too much water or moisture where it doesn’t belong. If mold spores make their way inside and find a place to settle where excessive moisture is present, such as a leak in the roof, pipes, walls or even in a potted plant, they can grow from there. They can even grow on drywall and tile as well as in the carpet and on fabrics and upholstery. Mold can also take up residence in the home after flood damage. Having the affected area professionally dried out and cleaned can help ensure that mold will not grow as a result of flood damage. Soaked carpets, rugs or upholstered furniture may need to be replaced if they cannot be thoroughly dried out right away (within 48 hours of the flood). A home can become infested with mold even without flood damage so keep your home free of excess moisture and humidity with the aid of an air conditioning unit or dehumidifier. Ensuring that the home is ventilated properly can also keep mold at bay. How to get rid of mold in your home Typical mold from moisture in the bathroom, for example, can be easily removed with mold-killing cleansers, soap and water or a solution of bleach and water (1 cup to 1 gallon ratio, respectively). If the infestation is very large or difficult to remove, you may need to call in the help of a professional to remove it. Don’t be Fooled by “Toxic” Mold While every individual responds to mold differently (those with allergies may be more susceptible to irritation from mold), you needn’t be fearful of “toxic mold” making you or your loved ones sick if touched. According to the CDC, some molds are indeed toxigenic, which means they can produce toxins, but the molds themselves are not poisonous. However, in very rare cases toxigenic molds found in the home can cause unique or rare health conditions such as pulmonary hemorrhage or memory loss. In 2004 the Institute of Medicine did research that links indoor mold exposure to respiratory illness in otherwise healthy children.
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flood damage, water damage, mold infestation, home mold, mold eradication, mold remediation,
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