Mold is one of those words homeowners detest. For some, it’s a visual nuisance they cannot seem to get rid of. Sure, its appalling appearance and the odor it produces make mold an unwelcome guest. But this pesky intruder can cause lots of trouble for homeowners, including chronic health problems.
Before you decide whether you need to call in an expert like Emergency Home Solutions or tackle the mold problem yourself, you need to know what you’re dealing with first. While you can spot some types of mold instantly, lurking in the dark, damp corners of your homes, other strains are far more devious and lurk in places you don’t even suspect, like under your wallpaper, in the HVAC ducts and other out-of-reach areas.
The best way to recognize you have a mold problem even if the mold is not visible are:
- Musty smell
- Dampness
- Stains on wallpapers, walls, and floors
- Sudden respiratory issues
If you notice any of these issues, don’t put off taking care of the mold problem for later. The more you let it go, the harder it will be to get rid of it. If things get out of hand you may need to tear down walls and invest in extensive remodels later.
How Does Mold Affect Health?
The spores mold produces can cause an onset of symptoms, especially in kids, seniors and people with a weak immune system. But even healthy individuals are at risk from developing mold-related health issues. Mold can cause an array of different health issues, some of which include:
Upper Respiratory Issues
Exposure to mold can cause lots of nasal discharge, runny nose, congestion, irritated throat and excessive sneezing.
Lower Respiratory Issues
Mold can also affect your lower respiratory system and cause a variety of issues including constant coughing, shortness of breath and wheezing.
Allergic Reactions
Mold can also trigger allergies. People already suffering from allergies might fight fighting off mold extremely difficult.
These are just some of the issues mold can cause so you can understand how important taking care of a mold problem is early.
How to Properly Treat Mold?
Now that you’ve read about the dangers of mold, you are probably wondering how to remove mold from your home. A lot of homeowners decide to do this on their own, but in many cases, this only makes matters worse, as doing this the wrong way can only help spread the mold spores across your home.
Therefore, it’s important to leave mold removal to experts who have the right skills and tools to take care of your mold problem once and for all.
It’s important to get a hold of a reputable mold removal company, which is why you’ll need to interview a few before you find the right price and the type of service provided.
You’ll also want to ask whether the company uses toxic products to remove mold since this can only make matters worse. The company you choose has to use EPA-certified mold removal products with plant-based formulas that are safe for your family.
Finally, you must remember that the battle does not stop even after the mold has been removed. You will need to pay attention to the infected spots to make sure the mold does not come back.