Something Scarier Than Even Ghouls & Ghosts Can Lurk In Your Homes
Halloween is around the corner, and we want to share with you a truly terrifying story to get you into the spirit of the season. Not only the living should fear this creature but Zombies, Werewolves, and other creatures of the night cower at the sight of this horror. The name of this terrifying and existential horror? Mold!
The scariest part of this creature is that it comes in numerous forms, each different from the last, with potentially deadly impacts on your health. It can lurk in your homes, with you and your family being none the wiser as it slowly spreads. While this all-consuming monster can ruin a home, thankfully, there are ways to defeat the abomination.
Mold And You: How Mold Can Impact Your Health
Mold is simply a type of fungi that, if left unchecked, can quickly spread throughout the structures of your home. Mold loves moisture, so humid areas or even water damage in your home can lead to mold growth. There are three major classifications of mold you should know.
You have allergenic molds that can cause allergic reactions, pathogenic molds that can cause infections, and toxigenic molds that can lead to death.
What makes mold so scary is that it can release hundreds of microscopic spores, and when inhaled over time, it will cause adverse effects on your health.
The Mild Health Effects of Mold
Breathing in mold spores can lead to chest and nasal congestion, alongside sore throat, dry eyes, coughing, and even headaches. You may think you’re coming down with a mild cold, but it could very well be mold.
For individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions such as asthma, these issues will be far more intense, and if you’re a healthy individual without pre-existing conditions? Well, mold exposure can lead to individuals developing conditions like asthma.
The Severe Health Effects of Mold
While the damaging effects above were nothing to shrug at, mold exposure has even far more terrifying effects. Prolonged exposure to certain molds can lead to scarring in the lungs, internal organ damage such as heart problems, severely impacting pregnant women, and even cancer.
Common Types Of Mold Found In Homes
Unlike the mold that can make delicious cheeses, mold that spreads throughout your home is far more sinister. Here are a few common types that you may find in your home.
Acremonium
Acremonium Mold is toxic and can be identified by its orange, white, gray, or even pink color if identified early on. This type of mold is moist, but over time it can develop into a somewhat powdery texture.
Alternaria
Alternaria mold is a dark green mold that you can usually find in showers or sinks. This mold can spread quickly and can cause irritating allergy symptoms.
Fusarium
Fusarium is a toxigenic mold that can grow in cold temperatures and often appear to have a red hue or even white color. Fusarium can grow on clothing, carpeting, or wallpaper, and prolonged exposure can lead to bone infections or nervous system damage.
Penicillium
You may recognize this mold because it is the same mold that gave us the wonder of penicillin! While penicillin is amazing, prolonged exposure to penicillium is not as incredible. Penicillium can be blue or green, often found near water damage, and can cause chronic sinusitis.
Stachybotrys
Stachybotrys, aka Black Mold, is the scariest and most infamous toxigenic mold we have heard of before. Black mold is easily identifiable, and prolonged exposure can lead to fever, depression, headaches, and even death.
The Silver Bullet: How To Tackle Mold In Your Homes
While mold growth can be concerning, thankfully, you can remove this nuisance from your homes. You can scrub mold off tiles and counters using a diluted bleach solution for small areas around the kitchen or bathroom. Make sure to have proper ventilation as mold loves humidity.
While you can clean mold off of surfaces, it is best to consult a professional. There is an overwhelming number of mold variants; each one requires different methods of clean-up and precautions. While you can remove mold off of surfaces with a diluted bleach solution, unless you consult a professional, you may not be able to identify the underlying structural damage causing the mold. Simply wiping down a wall will not address the leaky pipe causing the mold.
General Tips To Prevent Mold
The key to preventing mold growth is controlling the humidity and moisture in your home. For bathrooms, open a window to get proper ventilation after showers to avoid excess moisture from building up and avoid leaving wet fabrics like bath mats or carpet lying around.
In other areas of your home, make sure to allow for proper ventilation by opening a window or running fans to allow for air circulation that prevents excess humidity. You can always use a dehumidifier to help with moisture, and it comes in handy for areas with poor ventilation, such as basements or attics. When deep cleaning around the home, make sure to scrub and use mold-killing cleaning products and allow for these areas to dry. Lastly, keep an eye out for leaks or structural cracks.
Stopping Mold Dead In Its Tracks
Mold problems can be a hassle, so let Benicia Plumbing, Inc. take that weight off your shoulders and give us a call at (707) 745-2930!