Commonly Asked Questions About Mold

Being educated about the causes and risks of mold, as well as how to best remove and prevent it can help you successfully deal with mold problems. Here are the answers to 10 frequently asked questions about mold in homes: 

  1. What is mold?

Mold is a sort of fungus that lives nearly everywhere there is moisture, oxygen, and organic matter. Mold has an important function in character as it assists decompose organic substances. But, mold found indoors can lead to health issues, in addition to structural issues to buildings.

  1. Why does mold grow in houses?

Mold releases microscopic mold spores into the atmosphere. Since mold spores are airborne, all homes have mold spores in them, some over others. Mold grows in homes because almost all homes meet the demands of mold development: moisture, nutrients (such as cellulose), and time.

  1. Where does mold grow in homes?

Mold commonly grows in areas which are vulnerable to moisture, such as the basement and bath. However, mold also can grow in concealed regions of the house, such as behind walls, beneath the floor, at the air-conditioning system, in the crawl area, or at the loft.

  1. When does mold become a problem?

Although all homes have mold spores in them, bigger patches of mold growth can cause health problems and structural damage. Signals of mold in homes include a musty odor and the observable white or black specks in areas of your home that have a water issue.

  1. Can I vulnerable to mold?

If there is mold growth in your house, you can be subjected to it. When mold is disturbed, it releases spores into the indoor air that you breathe. Other kinds of vulnerability include touching the mold or moldy items, eating moldy food, and hand-to-mouth contact.

  1. How can mold affect our health?

Mold-sensitive people may display allergy symptoms, like sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, coughing, itchy eyes, wheezing, and skin irritation. Mold exposure can also activate asthmatic symptoms that include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. Mold can also cause irritant reactions, which can be similar to those of an allergic response.

  1. Can I test for mold?

When you suspect that there is mold growing in your home, you don’t need to know which kind of mold it is, but you ought to get it removed as soon as possible. It’s not required to check for mold if you already notice the signs of mold growth in your property. Following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), sampling and culturing are not reliable in determining your health hazard.

  1. Can I clean up the mold myself?

Even though it’s always preferable to hire a certified mold removal company, you might have the ability to remove small patches of mold yourself (which are smaller than 10 square feet). If you’re uncertain how to eliminate mold, or in case the infested area is larger than 10 square feet, then contact a qualified practitioner. Visit mold cleanup Coral Gables for more information.

  1. How do I clean up mold?

Eliminating mold effectively is harder than most people think. First, you have to wear protective clothing to reduce mold exposure. Then, you need to isolate the mold, so it doesn’t spread to other chambers. Following that, fix the water problem and dry the surface. To clean up mold, scrub a mixture of household detergent and warm water on the surface (don’t use bleach).

  1. How do I prevent mold growth in my property?

Preventing mold requires repairing moisture problems in your property. Repair leaks in the walls, roof, gutters, and plumbing pipes, maintain indoor humidity at 30-50percent with a dehumidifier, ventilate appliances that create moisture, and keep the gutter system clean. Learn more mold prevention hints here.

For more information and ideas about mold prevention and removal, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Google+, and LinkedIn to receive our alarms. Contact PuroClean for mold remediation providers and water damage restoration. We can get your property back in order quickly and economically.

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