You have probably come across those mold patches that grows in the basement corners. Sometimes the mold releases a musty odor and it could grow in many places, including on your shower curtains and in the bathroom. There are many facts you need to know about molds so as to understand how to handle them when they grow in your home.
To help you get conversant with that mold is and how it could affect you, here are the facts, risks and preventive measures you should know.
Molds Need Moisture to Grow
For molds to grow, there has to be moister and organic food. This is a kind of fungi that reproduces through making small spores that can survive harsh weather conditions. The spores can spread easily and could cover a large area in a short amount of period. It can be at your home and waiting for the perfect condition to start developing.
The main purpose of mold is to decompose dead organic matter, so it does well in humid and warm conditions with organic materials in abundance. Your home offers an ample environment with food sources like wood, paper, fabric, leather, and insulation materials, so every moisture is a source found for the mold to begin its development stage.
There are more than 10,000 species of mold, but the most common varieties include 5 species namely alternaria, aspergillus, cladosproium, penicillium, and stachybotrys chartarum. Growth of mold in your home could be a sign of water damage, so if you spot any signs in your kitchen, roof or inside the walls. The first thing you should inspect is the water supply system. It could be a leaky pipe or roof that is introducing the moisture needed to facilitate its growth.
Health Risk Associated with Mold
It has been proven that getting exposed to mold for a long time could cause different allergy symptoms, and may lead to serious health issues. For example, toxic black mold could pose serious long-term health effects because it produces mycotoxins that trigger a number of vascular problems and circulatory symptoms when inhaled. The effect could be accompanied with hearth inflammation, internal hemorrhage, low blood pressure, and irregular heartbeat also known as dyspnea. The effects may vary from person to person and it could be worse in children and pregnant women. That is why it’s important to consider a mold removal solution that would help get rid of mold and ensure yourself that won’t be exposed to the risks associated with molds.
How To Prevent Mold From Growing
There are a few remedies you could embrace that will prevent the growth and spreading of mold in your home. To keep it at bay, consider these solutions:
Maintain indoor humidity level at below 45% to inhibit the growth of molds.
Ensure good air circulation by running fans in the bathroom, cleaning air ducts regularly, and opening windows during the day. Inspect your property regularly and even more so during and after major storms. This will help you to spot mold and prevent further spread. Repair your property to prevent water seepage and leakage that could encourage growth of mold.
Molds are very dangerous to our health, therefore dealing with it is an exercise that will help you shield your health from the risks that are associated with mold. Before it reaches a point where you will have to hire mold removal services, ensure to maintain your home well to prevent the spread of moisture that could facilitate easy growth of mold.
