Have you ever been walking throughout your home only to notice that there are fuzzy white patches on your basement floor, black spots around the grout in your shower, or slick orange film that has formed in your kitchen drain? While these substances are unsightly and often smelly, they are much more than that — in some cases, mold in your home can make you and/or your family members sick, especially if you have asthma or allergies. Even if you have neither, mold exposure can irritate your eyes, skin, throat, nose, and lungs.
In today’s post, we are going to be discussing what exactly mold is, where it grows, who is the most at risk, and go over some tips to help prevent and get rid of mold. If you have noticed mold in your home and would like professional assistance with removal in order to ensure that it is removed completely, please give our mold remediation professional technicians a call at Thistle DKI in Las Vegas today to request an estimate.
What is Mold?
Mold is a fungus that is made up of small organisms that can be white, black, orange, green, or purple. Active mold damages the material it lives on, and while it plays an important role in nature in order to break down dead plants, leaves, and other organic matter, it can cause negative effects on both human health and the structural integrity of the home. All of us are exposed to small, harmless amounts of mold every day — the problem comes in when they land on a damp spot in a home or business and start to grow. This is because active mold growth requires moisture.
Where Does Mold Grow?
As we said above, active mold growth requires moisture — so virtually anywhere that there is consistent moisture within your home can become a stomping ground for mold growth. While many of these surfaces are visible such as in showers and drains, mold can also be hiding behind drywall, within attics, and underneath carpeting. That is why it is so crucial to have mold remediation services performed as soon as you suspect that mold is growing within your home.
Who Is the Most At-Risk for Experiencing Side Effects of Mold?
Breathing in the air near mold or touching its spores can cause intense allergic reactions to those who are sensitive to mold, including red eyes, sneezing, a runny nose, and skin rashes. These effects can be even more significant for those with serious mold allergies and asthma, causing shortness of breath and asthma attacks. Other groups who may be more sensitive to the effects of mold include:
- The elderly
- Infants and young children
- Those with compromised immune systems due to cancer, liver disease, chemotherapy, or HIV
- Those with chronic lung disease
Tips for Controlling Mold Growth
The best way to prevent mold growth is to reduce moisture within your home. If there is already mold growth, it is important to contact mold remediation services who can clean up the mold, ensure the growth is completely taken care of, and fix the problem that is causing dampness. If you choose not to contact professional mold remediation services, the mold will likely come right back.
As for preventing the mold growth from happening in the first place, we provide you with the following tips for the home in order to reduce moisture retention and mold growth:
- Use dehumidifiers and air conditioners to reduce moisture in the air
- Keep humidity below 60% within the home if possible.
- Add insulation to exterior walls, windows, and floors in order to reduce condensation within these cold surfaces.
- Dry wet areas within 24-48 hours to prevent mold from growing.
- Fix any leaks or seepage right away by getting in touch with Thistle DKI, professional water damage and mold remediation specialists who can assist you with assessing the damage and provide you with a complete repair.
- Open doors between rooms and use fans to increase air circulation throughout the home.
