Mold is a substance that can grow practically anywhere and is produced from specific fungi. You might notice mold around your kitchen drain or on your shower curtain. Mold often grows in areas that consist of high levels of moisture or water. If mold starts spreading throughout your home, it can emit large quantities of tiny spores into the air, which can be harmful to your health. To avoid the many risks associated with this substance, focus on how to prevent mold from growing in the first place.
What Is Mold?
Mold is a fungus that’s made from many small organisms that can be purple, black, white, or green. When mold grows outdoors, it helps break down dead trees and leaves. For mold to grow and spread, it requires a considerable amount of moisture, which is why a simple water leak in your home can cause mold to grow. The main issue with mold is that it emits tiny spores that get into the air. These spores can cause health problems that won’t go away until you eliminate the source of the mold.
When the air consists of a small concentration of mold spores, there’s nothing to worry about. However, they can start to grow if they reach a damp area in your home. If mold spores get into your home’s indoor air, you can inhale them as well.
Causes of Mold
Mold growth occurs in areas where moisture is found. If water floods into your basement, there’s a good chance that mold will grow there. Mold is most common in basements, bathrooms, kitchens, crawl spaces, and laundry rooms. The many reasons why this fungus can grow include the following:
Poor ventilation in bathroom or kitchen
Condensation buildup
High humidity in home
A leaking pipe or roof
Damp basement
Wet clothing
Leaking HVAC unit
Risks of Mold
There are numerous risks associated with mold, many of which relate to your health. If the air in your home contains a high concentration of mold spores, you might experience allergic symptoms, which include everything from sneezing and a runny nose to fatigue and headaches.
If you’re exposed to these spores regularly, your sensitivity to serious allergic reactions can increase. You may develop a more serious health condition if molds like Aspergillus or Stachybotrys get into your home. These molds can create mycotoxins that often cause vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal pain.
If you have allergies or suffer from a lung disease, you’re more susceptible to getting an infection when mold grows in your Fresno home. People who have been diagnosed with a chronic respiratory disease might have difficulty breathing until they get rid of the mold.
How to Prevent Mold Growth
Preventing mold from spreading throughout your home is possible if you know how to avoid introducing ideal conditions for mold growth. Mold can’t grow if it doesn’t have access to any moisture. Consider using an air conditioner or dehumidifier to lower the air’s moisture level if you live in a hot and humid climate. Indoor humidity should always be below 60%. You can measure humidity levels with a hygrometer.
When the outside temperatures are cool, make sure you keep your house warm. If the indoor temperatures dip too low, it’s more difficult for the air to hold moisture, which means that it will condense on cold surfaces and cause mold growth. If you spill a drink or detect a leak, dry the wet area within one to two days to keep mold growth at bay.
If you have an air conditioning system, keep the drip pans clean and free from standing water. The surrounding drain lines must also be kept free from obstructions to make sure that the water flows properly. Any seepage of water into your home must be identified and corrected as soon as possible, which may only be possible with the help of a reputable handyman company in Fresno.
To prevent mold in the kitchen, you should always use your exhaust fans when you’re washing dishes or cooking. If you notice that some of the surfaces or windows have moisture on them, turn off nearby appliances that might be causing this issue. You should also use exhaust fans to prevent mold in the bathroom whenever you take a shower.
While mold can spread quickly once it grows on an indoor surface, you can avoid mold growth by cleaning spills immediately, asking professionals to look for leaks, and using dehumidifiers throughout your home. Contact Teamwork Home Services today if you want us to inspect your home to search for mold.
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Mold is a natural substance that’s part of the environment and can grow practically anywhere.
