Dust-free walls, tidy countertops, and pristine floor – for many, these are the conditions to be met before they consider their houses clean. And if this sounds like you, well, we have some news – your house may not be as protected from fungi as you think it is. Yes, many of you probably have a mold problem, but you often don’t realize it because you have zero ideas about where and what to look for. Here, we’re going to tell you some things you need to know about mold.
Molds are types of fungi that can take on a life of their own in damp and humid environments. They reside in wet or moist areas, which, in most cases, are on basement floors, around the bathroom, on the walls and ceilings, under sinks, or in crawl spaces. Basically, they like to live in parts of the house that are commonly neglected or ignored by household members.
Molds tend to vary in color; they can be black, brown, orange, yellow, pink, or white. The problem, however, is that they don’t usually appear in plain sight. Most of the time, these microorganisms thrive in hidden and dark areas, so it’s common for them to go unnoticed.
And this is when it gets very dangerous. When mold reproduces and it isn’t taken care of as soon as possible, there can be mild to severe repercussions that might put your health at risk. Some types of household mold are actually toxic and life-threatening. As a matter of fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has already warned the public about the potential health issues that all molds pose.
How to Know If You Have Mold in Your Home
Have you had some major water leaks or flooding in your house recently? Have you also had to put out a fire in your kitchen in the last 48 hours? If your answer to any of these questions is yes, chances are, there’s likely an area where moist remained an unresolved issue and mold has gone forth and multiplied. At times like this, you need to seek the help of professionals. (Okay, you’re lucky if you happen to live in North Carolina, because there’s a company there that offers budget-friendly services such as mold removal and mold testing in Greensboro, NC. They have the most experienced staff across the state who makes sure that your home is free from mold.)
Now, if by any chance you managed to take the necessary actions immediately after a water or fire incident broke out, then you’re probably not in imminent harm – yet. Of course, you still need to be wary of signs that may indicate the presence of such a fungal colony in your home. After all, molds can grow where moisture is unchecked, even if there was no water or fire damage prior. Take these cues from your body to know whether or not you have a mold problem to worry about:
- You often smell a musty odor.
Molds do not always have a smell, but whenever they do, it’s often a bad one. It is described by homeowners as funky. Some of them also liken it to the odor of wet socks and rotten wood.
- Your eyes are always itchy and watery.
If you are suffering from allergic conjunctivitis, then this is probably one of your body’s ways of reacting to mold spores. Since mold travels through the air, it can easily invade your body through your eyes and cause a burning sensation inside.
- You suffer from a skin infection.
Again, this is another symptom of mold allergy. When your body comes into contact with these microorganisms, it is forced to release histamines, and the results vary. You may feel itchy, tingly, dry, or scaly. When these things happen to your skin, it’s time to see your dermatologist as they can be very serious effects of mold exposure.
- You have trouble breathing.
Like skin irritation, asthma symptoms are also alarming. As we said, mold is airborne, and it can definitely find a way to infiltrate your lungs. Consequently, your body reacts to it by causing you to sneeze or cough. In most instances, though, you may also experience shortness of breath. See your doctor, in case these symptoms persist.
What to Do to Solve This
Alright, some of you might say that prevention is key to solving these types of things. But at this point, prevention can only do so much. When mold starts having some hazardous threats on your health, there’s not much you can do but enlist the help of experts, like the ones from this mold company in Greensboro, NC. Hero Mold Company is a certified mold removal expert that serves both the states of North Carolina and Virginia. They’re very known for their expertise in basement encapsulation and water damage restoration so if you’re looking for that kind of service, don’t hesitate to ask and call them.
Always remember that your health is of paramount importance here. Don’t try to solve your mold problem all on your own if you’re sensitive to these fungi! We’re sure you don’t want to run the risk of contracting mold-related diseases.
