Mold spores are naturally present in the air, but when they land on damp surfaces, they start to multiply. Since mold can grow almost anywhere, it can be difficult to see it and to take stock of the problem on a visual level. However, your body will very likely be able to signal if there’s a mold issue in your home. As it develops, mold growth can exacerbate existing health concerns, particularly respiratory problems, and can cause new ones as well. If the quality of your health or breathing in your home has deteriorated recently, mold may well be the culprit. A mold inspection expert can determine if mold is, in fact, responsible, and can either recommend a mold cleanup firm or can provide mold remediation services.
Living or working in a building that is infested with mold can, according to the World Health Organization, significantly increase your risk of developing a respiratory disorder. Mold is an allergen for many people, and some varieties (such as Stachybotrys, or black mold) can also produce actual toxic substances that can also cause respiratory problems. Symptoms of mold exposure or allergic reactions can include sneezing, runny nose, coughing, and wheezing. It can also cause tearing and redness of the eyes and skin irritation or rash. Mold also contributes to asthma symptoms and attacks. The severity of these reactions differs from individual to individual and also depends on the concentration and the type of mold present. If you’ve noticed any change in the quality of your breathing while indoors, though, it’s worth testing for mold. Mold grows quickly and is harder and harder to remove the longer it’s allowed to infiltrate your home, so you should get a specialist in right away if you or someone in your household starts having breathing difficulties or new allergic-type reactions.
If you do call a mold detection company, they will first test the indoor air quality in various spaces of your home in order to determine if there are excess mold spores present. Since mold often grows in hidden places, testing the air is the best and most comprehensive way to find out if you have a mold problem. If there is a mold issue, you need to get a mold cleanup crew in as soon as possible. It’s possible that the same company that performed testing services for you also provides removal services. At the very least, they can recommend a mold removal company that can get your home and air quality cleaned up. Mold remediation involves two main parts–getting rid of the mold and making sure that the damp conditions that allowed it to grow in the first place are eradicated. Once those steps are taken, mold should no longer be a problem, and you can rest easily knowing that the respiratory health of your family is safe.
While mold is part of the natural world, excess mold growth within a building can be extremely dangerous.
