The Dangers of Living with Mold and the Importance of Home Remediation

Is Living in a Home with Mold Hazardous?

In the wild, mold and fungus deteriorate rotting plant and animal matter and enriches the surrounding soil, but it can cause serious health problems when it starts spreading in your house. Thankfully, most kinds of mold are generally easy to ignore, but a small splotch may later become a big problem. When mold reproduces, it frees particles into the air which can cause sickness when breathed in by those with sensitivities or respiratory issues. A few studies have also found a link between early exposure to mold and the development of asthma in some younger children.

Household mildew or mold growth is not a problem for many people, but a mold problem can hurt those with pulmonary problems or those that are easily affected by poor indoor air quality. In most cases, the concentration of existing mold contamination and the sensitivity of someone’s allergies determine how serious their response to any mold problems will be. Sneezing, coughing, runny nose, red eyes, wheezing, headaches and typical cold-like symptoms are most often experienced with mold allergies, making it difficult to target the problem accurately. If you or someone in your household is experiencing sneezing, coughing, runny nose, red eyes, wheezing, headaches, and typical cold-like symptoms with no clear explanation as to why, looking into mold testing can be a great starting point. More serious allergies may result in harsh reactions like short breaths. Mold can be triggering for asthma attacks as well. Additional sensitive populations at risk include:

  • Babies and toddlers
  • The elderly
  • Those with a weak immune system
  • People with serious pulmonary disease

Mold in the Home

Home and business owners often find mold and mildew build-up over time in moist places, on wet materials, and on both porous and non-porous materials. Mold enters your house through any opening, such as open doors, windows, vents and heating and air conditioning systems. Mold doesn’t only invade your house through doors and windows– it can also fasten onto your clothes, backpacks, pets and shoes and be moved indoors.

When the amount of new mold spores in your house reaches a certain level, it can impact the physical well-being of your family, your possessions and the building itself. Mold can grow in moist places and places with higher indoor air temperatures, but it can also be found in places you may not think to look. These include:

  • Paper products
  • Ceiling tiles
  • Cardboard
  • Wood products
  • Paints
  • Insulation
  • Drywall
  • Upholstery

Mold Prevention

When it comes to stopping mold from getting into your home, there are certain precautions you can take. Here’s some easy steps you can take:

  • Create ventilation in bathrooms, laundry rooms and kitchen
  • Monitor the humidity levels in your house
  • In the case of flooding, clean and dry your house carefully
  • Fix leaky roofs, windows and pipes right away
  • Contact your local mold damage restoration specialists for affordable mold removal

The Major Steps Of The Home Remediation Process

Every mold remediation company is different, but many handle mold cleanup in a similar fashion. Typically, mold remediation companies will:

  1. Fix the issue that is causing moisture rates and mold spores to grow.
  2. Sealing off the contaminated areas within the home. This sealing is done with the help of plastic material sheeting designed to keep mold spores from spreading to unaffected areas of the
  3. Mist and clean contaminated areas, visible mold, and moldy materials.
  4. Vacuum moldy surfaces.
  5. Thoroughly clean structures within the home that are not moveable with a solution of mold-killing chemicals and detergents.
  6. Disinfect contaminated areas after cleaning.
  7. Use deodorizing agents to tackle any mold odors.
  8. Make sure all materials and surfaces are dry after the cleaning and disinfection stages. (Some mold remediation services include the use of dehumidifiers and fans to help during this process)
  9. Rebuild and replace materials that could not be repaired or cleaned.

The timeline for how long it takes for a full mold remediation service to be completed can vary for many different reasons. Some mold remediation services are more extensive overhauls than others. Some services require specialized treatments depending on the type of mold that may be present. Also, the first step of typical home remediation (fixing the issue that is causing moisture rates and mold spores to grow) can take hours to weeks to complete correctly.

Call Paul Davis Immediately For Mold And Home Remediation Services

If you have mold present in your house that’s too much to take care of on your own, contact the mold remediation professionals at Paul Davis. Call Paul! 888-473-7669 for affordable mold removal.