The Ledger news reported a story in 2008 about a Lakeland woman, who had pneumonia six times within a period of 18 months, due to the mold growing inside her new million dollar home. No one noticed the mold growing and homebuilders didn't even believe her accusation, until it was proven true.
Its stories such as these that force us to wonder are we safe in our own homes? Could it be coincidence that we are constantly getting allergies or could a silent infestation be the hidden problem?
What most people don't know about mold is that it travels continually through the air and is fueled solely by moisture. Due to the fact that we live in a tropical environment, this makes us more vulnerable. Mold produces tiny spores to reproduce and they may travel into homes and attach onto a damp surface. Once attached, the mold grows digesting everything to survive.
If unnoticed, mold can cause severe damage to homes and cause health issues such as the case discussed earlier. Mold is a type of fungi that has tens of thousands of species; however, some popular molds found in homes are Cladosporium, Penicillium, Alternaria, and Aspergillus. Mold can be the hidden cause of constant respiratory diseases in households such as, pneumonia or allegories. Mold can also be an irritant for asthma.
The EPA (environmental protection agency) says the best way to control indoor mold growth is to control indoor moisture, which might include indoor ventilation, dehumidifiers, exhaust fans, and drying of furniture. From secret leaks to unacknowledged spills mold can thrive in the most unexpected areas. Molds are mostly active within showers and basements because they are the places that are most likely to contain some unnoticeable form of moisture.
Once discovering the mold, the simple solution is to dispose of it and prevent it from spreading. Some surfaces if caught before the mold has eaten through can be spared. However, surfaces such as carpet or tiles must be removed and replaced. Repairs such as floor replacing can get rather expensive therefore weekly inspections in damp cool places wouldn't be such a bad idea.
When removing mold, most people resort to bleach, but bleach is not effective in removing mold. Bleach may eliminate mold on the surface, but the spores from which it generates from are not destroyed and the mold can regenerate. More useful ways may include UV disinfection, air purifiers, controlling indoor humidity levels, and drying infected objects. Before cleaning mold one should first assess the situation and decide its severity.
AMI (advanced mold inspections) recommends that if the mold spread is more than ten feet then a contractor should be hired. Mold can be harmful in several ways and can affect your family greatly. The best way to keep your home and your family safe is to be aware that mold is dangerous, but can be prevented with a few proactive precautions.
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