Mold can grow anywhere but the problem comes in when it finds its way into the indoor living spaces. It prefers damp and dark spots. If you’re not keen to remove mold, it damages the house and may have severe effects on your health, specifically by causing mold illness.

How Mold Gets Into Your Home

When it grows outdoors, mold helps in the decomposition of organic matter. And since it is a fungus, it releases micropores that are easily carried through the air. These small pores can get into your house through windows, doors, pets, contaminated clothes, and shoes. Once it settles where there’s moisture and little light, it thrives and becomes a serious issue. You will find mold in bathtubs, window frames, the basement, carpets, attic, wood furniture, crawlspaces, under the sink, and leaky pipes.

How to Differentiate the Type of Mold That Has Infested Your Property

Different kinds of mold can occur in one area and you can tell without any scientific knowledge. If you want to eliminate it, you don’t need to understand the type because the control methods are basically the same. There are three general types of mold namely:
• Penicillium: Green, yellow, or blue mold that is a bit fuzzy. You’ll find it in the basement, insulation, and under the carpets after water damage.
• Aspergillus: Gray mold with dark spots. Sometimes green or white with a powdery appearance. Even without ventilation, aspergillus will thrive on dry food debris, walls, fabrics, the basement, and the attic.
• Cladosporium: It can be brown, black, or green. Prefers warmer and cool spaces. You’ll find Cladosporium on fabric materials, carpets, HVAC ducts, and carpets.

All these types of mold start as small spots but expand really quickly. You can detect it at an early stage unless it is tucked in an invisible spot. If you see any white, black, or green patches that are sometimes cottony or powdery, know you have a mold issue right away. Another distinguishing feature of mold is the musty earthy smell. In many cases, it causes peeling, warping, and cracking of materials. If you pour a bleaching agent on mold, the color lightens in a few minutes.

How Mold Infestation Affect Human Health

The toxic mold or black mold releases mycotoxins that are associated with various health issues. Mold illness or poisoning is one of such health concerns. People have also reported nosebleeds, headaches, mood changes, and memory loss after coming into contact with mold. Those with allergies are more susceptible to mold illness. They may experience sinusitis, runny nose, skin rashes, sore throat, red eyes, wheezing, and dry cough. In severe cases, mold exposure can lead to shortness of breath, lung problems, and asthma.

Mold Cleanup

The process of removing mold depends on the severity of the infestation and the type of surface that has been affected. If it is a large area, you should call a professional mold removal company to help with remediation. Hard surfaces require thorough scrubbing with water and detergent before they are completely dried. Any porous materials must be discarded to prevent re-infestations. Sometimes, it is good to use chlorine bleach in its diluted form when cleaning up moldy surfaces.

Are you concerned about your health or a loved one after spotting signs of mold in your home? First, don’t attempt to remove the mold by yourself unless you’re a trained technician. Secondly, check with your doctor to determine if mold illness has knocked on the door. Lastly, adopt methods to prevent future growth of mold like keeping everything dry and tidy.

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