what IS MOLD?
We eat it, We breath it we even see it on a daily bases so why is it bad for us?
Mold is a type of fungus that consists of small organisms. These small organisms are found almost everywhere. They are multiple colors black, white, orange, even purple. Mold thrives on moisture and reproduces by tiny lightweight spore that travel through the air. Mold plays a big roll in nature. Mold brakes down dead leaves, tress and plants. In small amounts mold spores are usually harmless, but when the spore spread in your house and land on a damp spot or location, they can start to grow. When mold grows on surfaces in your home, the spores can be released into the air where they can be inhaled. If you or someone in your family are sensitive to mold you can experience health problems.
Mold Side Affects
Some side affects of mold are nasal stuffiness, throat irritation, coughing or wheezing, skin and eye irritation. People with mold allergies could have worse reaction to mold. People with respiratory problems can get infections in their lungs. People with respiratory problems should stay away from these areas such as wooded and damp areas, compost piles, and leaf piles.
Controlling Mold in your home
You can control your mold levels by controlling humidity levels, ventilation in your bathroom, laundry, and kitchen areas, also fixing leaky roofs, pipes, and windows. In case of flooding in your home be sure to thoroughly clean and dry the effected areas. You are better off contacting a water and drying professional where they have the proper drying equipment.
First step in keeping your home free of mold is to do a thorough inspection of the entire property at least once a month. list of things to check are,
- Roof - Attics - Water pipes
-Windows and doors - Crawlspaces - Boiler and Hvac unit
Second step is to insure your humidity levels through out the home or business are between the levels of 30 and 50 percent.
Third step Be sure to have your home or business properly ventilated. here are a few ways to properly vent your home.
- Bathroom ceiling vent- clean and check for obstruction and make sure it is properly vented outside, it is very important to run the fan during bath and shower time. this will help lower the moisture and humidity levels.
- Kitchen cooking exhaust fan.
- Attic - make sure there are no obstruction such as insulation in your soffit vents. check and make sure your attic fan is functioning correctly and there is no obstruction in the turbine, hood or ridge vent.
- Crawlspace - Be sure to check your crawlspace after every rain storm, A leaking foundation can cause serious foundation and health problems.
- Roof - Attics - Water pipes
-Windows and doors - Crawlspaces - Boiler and Hvac unit
Second step is to insure your humidity levels through out the home or business are between the levels of 30 and 50 percent.
Third step Be sure to have your home or business properly ventilated. here are a few ways to properly vent your home.
- Bathroom ceiling vent- clean and check for obstruction and make sure it is properly vented outside, it is very important to run the fan during bath and shower time. this will help lower the moisture and humidity levels.
- Kitchen cooking exhaust fan.
- Attic - make sure there are no obstruction such as insulation in your soffit vents. check and make sure your attic fan is functioning correctly and there is no obstruction in the turbine, hood or ridge vent.
- Crawlspace - Be sure to check your crawlspace after every rain storm, A leaking foundation can cause serious foundation and health problems.