Molds require food, water, oxygen and an ideal environment to thrive in your home. This is why professional removal of harmful microbes is crucial.
Any water leaks should be repaired immediately to prevent mold growth. You should also improve ventilation and use dehumidifiers. This will prevent the proliferation of mold in your home and safeguard your health.
Allergies
Mold allergies are a common and unpleasant affliction that can lead to itchy eyes, runny nose, itching skin and difficulty breathing. If you have a persistent allergy to mold, it’s important to get the help of an allergist and start looking for ways to remove it from your home.
Symptoms of a reaction to mold vary depending on the individual, the amount of exposure and whether or not they have other sensitivities. Mold spores are released into the air and, when inhaled, cause an immunological reaction in most people. When people react to these spores, they release histamines that cause symptoms.
Mold grows in warm, damp weather areas and thrives on various organic materials, including wood, paper, leaves and dirt. It is also found in carpets and textiles that have been wet and were dried after some time and in your house and basement walls. Mold is often found in bathrooms, kitchens and basements and can be difficult to remove entirely.
However, if you can keep it from growing in the first place, you may not have as much of a problem. Allow fresh air to flow by opening windows and doors, repairing leaks, and using a dehumidifier in basements and other moist rooms. Also, only store absorbent items in these areas, like rugs and carpets, and discard partially dry fabrics.
Damage
There are many reasons you should leave mold remediation to a professional. They have the knowledge, tools, and equipment to do the job right the first time.
They can spot issues you may not be able to, such as soft or spongy floorboards that indicate rotting and need replacing. They can also identify the cause of the problem, like a water leak in your attic that can lead to fungus growth.
If left untreated, mold can grow to an extent that destroys household items and stains surfaces. It can even be eaten through wood and wallpaper. In some cases, it can even release mycotoxins into the air that have been linked to heart problems and memory issues.
While some types of mold are more harmful than others, all mold can damage your home and affect your health. If you suspect a mold problem, hiring a professional mold removal in Staten Island as soon as possible is important. They can help you save your possessions and restore your home to a pre-mold condition.
This usually includes a contents pack out, which involves removing protected belongings from the affected area and taking them offsite to be cleaned and restored. Textiles, clothes, hard goods, photographs, and electronics can be used. In some cases, they can even be restored to their original condition.
Respiratory Issues
While many people equate mold with evil goblins hiding under beds or in closets, it is much more common than one might think. Mold grows in wet cellulose materials like wood, paper, and drywall and can be found almost anywhere there is water damage or a leak.
While most molds are not dangerous, some can produce mycotoxins, which have been linked to circulatory issues. If mycotoxins come into contact with a person’s skin or eyes, it can lead to tingling and itching sensations, scaly and dry skin, and even hives. If someone inhales these spores, it can lead to several respiratory problems, including coughing and wheezing.
In people with existing asthma, it can make breathing difficult and trigger attacks. Some studies have also found a link between mold and hypersensitivity pneumonitis in susceptible individuals. Over-the-counter mold test kits can give you an idea of the mold in your home, but professionals can pinpoint the location and severity of the problem.
They can also offer tips to help prevent future mold growth and keep it from returning. These include addressing any moisture issues promptly, using fans to promote air circulation, and maintaining 50 percent humidity or less in the house. Professionals also have the tools and equipment to reach places that a normal person may not be able to get.
Illnesses
While it may not have the mystical aura of a terrifying monster in your closet or spooky goblins under your bed, mold is a villain that could haunt your home. It is often found in the house’s dark corners, inside ducts, behind tiles and suspended ceilings. If you’re noticing warping walls, crumbling plaster and cracks in your tiles, then there is likely a mold problem that needs to be addressed immediately to avoid further damage.
Inhaling mold spores for an extended period can trigger allergic reactions in most people, including nasal congestion and runny nose, itchy and watery eyes, sneezing, rashes and breathing problems such as shortness of breath and asthma. In extreme cases, mycotoxins can cause even more serious symptoms, such as memory loss and heart issues.
Controlling moisture is the best way to prevent mold from growing in your home. Ensure that your home has adequate ventilation, use dehumidifiers in basements and attics, wipe surfaces with a commercial cleaner or heavily diluted bleach solution and wash and dry porous fabrics.
