Although not all types of mold can be fatal, many can be dangerous to your health. When dealing with mold it is important that you know what you are dealing with to avoid potential health problems.
Wake Forest, NC – The restoration experts of the Water Damage Team have gathered a list of frequently asked questions about mold and provided detailed answers.
Mold can be dangerous to your health, and can even be fatal,†notes David Beavers of the Water Damage Team. “However, how much do you really know about it? To help educate yourself on the topic, please enjoy the following answerers to frequently asked questions about mold.â€
What is mold?
Mold is a fungus which grows on plants and fibers wherever it can get what it needs- moisture. It travels in spores, feeding and living off of moisture and dampness. Mold can grow just about anywhere in your home where there is enough moisture, your bathroom or kitchen are the perfect place for mold to inhabit.
What is toxic mold?
Toxic mold is actually a misleading term, as mold itself is not necessarily toxic. It is actually the mycotoxins found in some molds that are harmful to your health. What people call “toxic mold†is actually a black mold that can grow in your walls not always noticeably, and eventually be bad for your health.
What causes mold?
Mold is caused by large amounts of moisture in fibers or the air. For example, any leak left untreated in your wall, or any flooded carpet that is not properly dryed, could case mold to grow.
How can mold growth be prevented?
By performing routine checks of your home, especially rooms with a lot of water pipes, for leaks you’re already half way to preventing water damage. Also make sure to check your attic spaces, basement, and outside the home on a yearly basis for leaks as well.
What health problems can mold exposure cause?
Very short exposure to mold is pretty much harmless besides some mild allergy-like irritation. Eventually, mold exposure can lead to more serious health problems like bleeding in the lungs, so immediate attention to mold cleanup is essential.
What symptoms point to mold-induced health problems?
Allergy-like symptoms are the first sign of a sickness caused by mold. Sneezing, coughing, and itchy eyes are all recognizable this way. Also, people with asthma will be much more prone to asthma attacks when around dangerous mold spores for too long.
How do you tell if you have a mold problem?
You should be able to smell, see, or feel mold. Sporadic, uncommon allergy symptoms could be one sign of mold. Mold has a very distinguishable musty smell, which should be strongest right at the source. If your hallway smells musty all the time and you don’t know why, you may want to call a mold removal specialist.
How do I get rid of mold?
Removing small amounts of mold on your own is fine with some hot water and soap. However a professional should deal with serious mold problems, because you may not get it all, and the remaining spores could grow and affect your health.
Do I need to have a routine mold check-up?
A routine mold check on your home is a very smart thing to do. Mold could grow inside your walls, and if not caught in time cause thousands of dollars in damage. Doing a check-up yourself every few months will keep you ahead of the game even more, and properly protect your home and investments.
The Water Damage Team is a nation wide disaster restoration company, with years of experience in water removal and water drying. As well as storm damage clean up, contaminated water removal of all levels, structural drying, debris removal and mold remediation. Our water damage restoration specialist are trained and certified in all of the industries standards and techniques. At the Water Damage Team we understand that rapid response is key to preventing any additional loss, so our specialist are available to answer calls and response 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Call 1-800-533-0626 for immediate assistance.
