Dangers of Mold
Mold. Just the thought of the word gives many homeowners chills. No family man or business owner wants to have to deal with the possibility of a mold problem in their home or office, let alone the dangers associated with mold. Mold is stinky, ugly, and it is an absolute pain to remediate. Unfortunately, the pungent side effects of mold stretch beyond it’s unsightliness.
Awareness of the dangers of mold can help protect you as well as your pocket book.
Danger 1 - Mold will Damage Your Property
If signs of mold in your home have become recognizable (whether by smell or sight), it is quite likely that the problem is already bigger than it seems. Typically, mold is a result of unresolved moisture issues, such as a leaky roof, drippy plumbing, flooding, seepage through foundations, window condensation, or lack of ventilation in high-moisture areas.
For example, steamy kitchens and bathrooms tend to be highly susceptible to mold problems when proper ventilation has not been installed in the space. Wherever the moisture may be coming from, mold problems should definitely not be ignored.
Mold Spreads When Left Unchecked
Unchecked mold is known to do what it does best – spread! It grows in moist spots in the walls and insulation of a structure. Mold damages the material that it lives on, slowly eating away at it. If left unresolved, what starts as a small mold problem could easily develop into something much more severe (not to mention much harder on the budget). In time, mold that goes un-remediated has the potential to cause serious structural damage to your residential or commercial property.
Certain types of mold also release foul odors, rot wood, and attract insects. Not only do these factors affect the value of your home, it also compromises the safety of your family.
Danger 2 - Mold is a Threat to the Health of Your Family
Mold has potential to be the silent, unseen source of many illnesses. In fact, it is no secret that prolonged exposure to dangerous mold is linked with a score of health problems.
Here’s what experts are saying:
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “molds can cause nasal stuffiness, throat irritation, coughing or wheezing, eye irritation, or, in some cases, skin irritation” for people who are sensitive to mold. The CDC recommends that mold “should be eliminated for the sake of human health, structural integrity, and quality of life”.
A study conducted by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) found enough conclusive evidence to link indoor mold exposure to upper respiratory problems in otherwise healthy people. Researchers are continuing to study the effects of mold. Scientists are particularly interested in the health ramifications mold exposure may mean for children.
Dangerous Mold - Linked to Asthma & Other Symptoms
Some researchers are beginning to suggest that the development of asthma and other respiratory illness in some children may potentially be linked to exposure to indoor mold. Regardless, the IOM regards mold as a public health problem.
Scientists may need more research to be able to link specific health conditions with mold. Still, when the health of you and your family may be in question, what sense would there be in risking it?
Yes, it’s clear that the presence of indoor mold is not doing anybody any favors health-wise. That is why here at Air Quality Consultants, we recommend a zero tolerance policy for mold. Play it safe, and take care of mold as promptly as possible in the interest of your health.
Mold Infestation - Know the Signs
Mold is tricky. It can easily conceal itself in unseen places. Unsuspecting homeowners are being silently attacked by mold infestations in attics, underneath shag rugs, between walls, on ceiling tiles, and more. Indoor mold growth can sneak up on anyone. Being aware of the signs and dangers of mold in your home will help you identify when there is a problem and prepare you to take preventive measures without hesitation.
The Smell of Mold
One of the first and most common indicators that you have a mold problem will likely be a musty, earthy smell in your home. You may not be able to identify where it is coming from, but you can tell something is definitely smelly. Identifying the source is an important first step to the eradication of potentially dangerous molds.
Visual Signs of Mold
In some cases, you may be able to visually identify mold. The typical signs are seen in the form of spots, which can be of varying colors. These spots are known to appear on walls, countertops, and other surfaces. Typically, by the time you can see mold, it is already posing a risk to you and your home. What you can see is likely just the tip of the iceberg.
Fighting and Winning the Battle Against Mold
Whatever you do, DO NOT ignore the dangers of mold!
Your fist reaction to discovering mold through scent or sight may be to go out and buy a DIY Mold Testing Kit. However, the industry of air quality testing highly recommends against DIY air quality testing.
Why say ‘no’ to DIY mold testing kits?
Even if the kit happens to accurately reveal that you that you have mold in your house (pro tip: many DIY tests are notoriously inaccurate and remain distrusted by many consumers), simply knowing you have mold is hardly a solution.
The Center for Disease Control clearly explains that “You do not need to know the type of mold growing in your home, and CDC does not recommend or perform routine sampling for molds. No matter what type of mold is present, you should remove it…You cannot rely on sampling and culturing to know your health risk”.
Professional Mold Testing
The safest and best solution is to leave the mold and call air quality testing experts at Air Quality Consultants. Whether your Richmond or Virginia Beach property is commercial or residential, we know exactly how to sample the visible mold to determine if it’s toxic or not. After we have swabbed the visible mold or collected air spore samples, our seasoned professionals will carefully inspect the area to determine if there is any mold growing on surfaces in out-of-sight areas, such as inside your walls or insulation.
Beyond the inspection, our Air Quality Consultants will also test the air quality of your home to see if there are other types of mold growing in the area. Our professional-grade tests will be able to detect the mold spores in the air.
Here at Air Quality Consultants, our top priority is the safety of your family. Our entire motto is “we care about your air”. We will help you detect mold, identify the source, assess the risks, and make recommendations for mold remediation.
If you have noticed a musty odor or any mold spots in your home, contact Air Quality Consultants right away to schedule your indoor air test. An indoor mold problem is not something you can afford leave unresolved.
