Mold is a big part of the natural environment. In nature, it plays a big role in the breakdown process of organic matter such as dead trees, fallen leaves, etc. this is especially beneficial for the soil and the environment at large as long as it happens in the outdoor space.
One thing you do not want in your home is mold. In fact, you need to avoid it in any way you can. Not only do they totally ruin the aesthetics of your home but they also cause a lot of damage to the health of both you and your household.
Usually, they start as spores that are airborne and invisible to the naked eye and then begin to reproduce when they land on moist surfaces. Immediately they are discovered, you need to contact any available nationwide mold removal company as fast as possible. If you do not know much about them, here are answers to frequently asked questions that can give you some guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions about Molds
Are you confused about some weird-looking things growing on your walls? Are you wondering what they are and how they can affect your home? Do you have questions that you desperately need answers to? Well, you are not alone. Here are answers to some of the questions you might have.
How do I Prevent the Growth of Molds in my House?
The best way to prevent their growth is by identifying and controlling the water and moisture-related problems in the home. Spores are present everywhere and that includes your home. As long as they find a surface with sufficient moisture content they can grow easily.
Some of the common moisture sources are leaks in the roof, humidifiers, plumbing leaks, drying wet clothes in the house, steam from kitchens and bathrooms, drainage problems, lack of ventilation, etc. To prevent their reproduction, you need to pay attention to your home and any possible source of moisture.
You can check here https://www.webmd.com/children/prevent-mold to learn more on how to prevent such growth due to moisture.
Do I Need to Run Tests to Know the Kind of Mold Growing in my House?
It is neither recommended nor required by any regulatory agencies to run such tests. There is also no federal or state standard for molds in the home. Compared to simply cleaning and fixing the source of moisture, the testing and sampling processes are more expensive.
There are different kinds of mold and knowing them is not the priority and does not change anything, they still need to be taken care of. It is a fact that they can be found anywhere, even though their severity may vary depending on location and weather, you should take the necessary steps to fix the source of the moisture, clear and clean the problem area properly.
What are Molds and the Early Signs to Lookout For?
Mold is a type of fungus and is present everywhere. There are different kinds and it is important to understand them, especially the harmful ones. There are three main types of harmful kinds and they include allergenic, pathogenic, and toxigenic mold.
Exposure to Allergenic molds causes allergic reactions, Pathogenic molds cause health complications for people with existing illnesses such as HIV/AIDs or other autoimmune diseases, asthma, etc. while the Toxigenic aids the production of toxic substances leading to deadly health situations.
Knowing how dangerous this problem is to health, it is important to be on the lookout for the early signs of its formation. Having allergies are usually the first signs of its presence in the home. Therefore, when you notice symptoms such as sore eyes, sneezing, headaches, stuffy heads, and other allergic reactions to mold, you should be sure to confirm the cause.
Is Painting Over the Affected Area Effective?
Although there are various paint and coating products in the market with claims that they can kill molds, these claims are refutable. It is important that before painting or coating the affected area, the problem has to be properly addressed.
Surface mold can be seen quite easily but most times, the problem is way beneath the surface of your painted wall. If you suspect a deeper problem, you can hire the services of a professional. They can access the source, identify the extent of the damage, and make recommendations on how to go about fixing it.
Can I Fix the Mold Myself?
It is quite possible to do it yourself but you have to consider the type involved. There are a lot of DIY tips for the regular mold you find in kitchen cabinets and bathroom corners. However, if you notice any severe signs such as musty smells, allergic reactions, and a colony of over 10sq.ft, then there is a problem.
In such cases, you need to contact a specialist. Another way of recognizing strong cases requiring a specialist is when there is a recurrence after using a DIY technique. There are numerous techniques available for you to consider, you can also watch this video to learn more.
Conclusion
Struggling with the problem of mold in your home is definitely disheartening especially after you have exhausted all the DIY options you know. Having to constantly be aware of the eyesore can be pretty embarrassing and worst of all, knowing how it can affect your family’s health.
If you have gotten to this point in your struggle then it is time for you to consider hiring a specialist. If you are discovering this problem at an early stage in your home then you can consider yourself as one of the lucky ones.
In the early stages, it is quite easy to fix it, you just need to get some available DIY methods and look out for the source of moisture causing the problem. It is also important to take some preventive measures to avoid possible occurrences or reoccurrences.