THE HIDDEN DANGER OF Mold

In Your Home

One O f the w O rst things yO u can find in yO ur h O me is m O ld are six things tO lOOk Out

A type of fungi that grows in damp or humid conditions, mold can cause health problems, some with lasting effects that are hard to overcome and take years of medical help to resolve.

One of the most common issues is respiratory related. Coughing, sneezing, and difficulty breathing. In severe cases, it can lead to asthma, a potentially life changing and deadly condition. Mold also brings on allergic reactions such as itchy eyes, sneezing, and a runny nose. These allergies can be long term and may require ongoing treatment.

Neurological problems can also be caused by mold and these can present in some scary or surprising ways like memory loss and difficulty concentrating as the mold leads to inflammation in your brain and body. You may also notice a weakened immune system. If you or your family are experiencing frequent and unexplained illness, you might want to have your home inspected for mold. Mold can also cause skin irritation, such as rashes or redness. Thankfully, there are some pretty clean indications you can quickly identify if you have mold in your home. These are easy to identify and will help you and/or professionals clean up and remediate the problem.

No.

1 musty OdOrs: Mold often has a musty or earthy smell, so if you notice a strong, musty odor in your home, it could be a sign that you have mold.

No.

2

Visible mOld grOwth: Mold can appear as black, brown, or green patches on walls, ceilings, or other surfaces. If you see visible mold growth, it is important to address the issue as soon as possible.

No. 3

water stains:

Mold often grows in areas where there has been water damage, such as behind walls or under floorboards. If you notice water stains on your walls or ceiling, it could be a sign of hidden mold.

No. 4

allergic reactiOns:

If you or a family member start experiencing allergic reactions, such as sneezing, coughing, or itchy eyes, when you are at home, it’s worth making sure you don’t have mold in your home.

One O f the m O st c O mm O n issues is res P irat O ry related. cO ughing, sneezing, and difficulty breathing. i n se V ere cases, it can lead t O asthma, a PO tentially life changing and deadly c O nditi O n.

No. 5

cOndensatiOn:

If you notice condensation on your windows or walls, it could be a sign that there is too much humidity in your home, which can lead to mold growth.

No. 6

Peeling Paint Or wallPaPer: Mold can cause paint or wallpaper to peel or blister, so if you notice these issues in your home, mold could be responsible for the damage.

If you are worried about mold in your home, there are some steps you can take to remove it to create a clean and healthy environment for your family. While large scale problems should be handled by professionals, there are steps you can take to clean up small issues and to stop mold from growing in your home once it’s been remediated.

Remove excess moisture:

The first step to getting rid of mold is to address the source of the moisture that is causing it to grow. This may involve fixing leaks, using a dehumidifier, or increasing ventilation in the affected area.

Clean the affected area:

Once you have removed the source of the moisture, you will need to clean the affected area to remove the mold. There are a few cleaning solutions you can use from natural to synthetic depending on your preference. You can hydrogen peroxide are all very effective at killing mold as well and you can make a variety of cleaners by mixing these separate elements (don’t combine them together) into water and spraying them onto the affected area. There are many helpful resources online that will give you different recipes to follow so you get the best results.

Repair any damage:

After you have cleaned the effected area, you will need to repair any damage that the mold may have caused. This may involve replacing drywall, flooring, or other building materials.

Prevent future mold growth: use a solution of equal parts water and bleach, or a commercial mold cleaner, and scrub the affected area thoroughly. Be sure to wear gloves and a mask to protect yourself while cleaning. White vinegar, baking soda, tea tree oil, and

To prevent future mold growth, you will need to address the underlying cause of the moisture problem. This could mean fixing leaks, especially those in areas you can’t see day to day like in your attic or basement and under sinks, and installing better ventilation systems in wet places like your bathrooms.

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