Mold plays a key role in the breakdown of wood, leaves, and other plant debris, using this material for food. Some mold spores are viable for years after they are produced, but even those that don’t continue to grow contain allergy-inducing substances. Molds produce allergens, irritants, and, in some cases, potentially toxic substances. You can prevent damage to your home and furnishings, save money, and avoid potential health problems by controlling moisture and eliminating mold growth. Mold is all about moisture. Molds gradually destroy the things they grow on. Living in an area prone to high humidity increases the chances of your home developing a mold problem.
Molds are living organisms that grow in damp places in your Kansas home. They stain or discolor surfaces and smell musty. The slimy black spots on your shower curtain, the fuzzy white patches on your basement floor, and the slick orange film that forms on your kitchen drain are all signs of mold. Walls, floors, appliances, carpets, and furniture can all provide the food mold needs to grow. But the key is moisture.
For this reason, you’re most likely to see mold growth in damp places such as bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, basements, and crawl spaces. There are hundreds of thousands of different types of mold. Molds are a type of fungi, and they reproduce by means of tiny microscopic spores. These can sometimes cause health problems. Mold does not affect everyone, and different people are affected differently when mold is breathed or inhaled. While some mold spores move through the air, others are sticky and cling to surfaces.
Why Do I Have Mold in My Home?
All types of mold grow by means of water or moisture. The key to mold control is moisture control. They are part of the natural environment and can digest most things. But water is the factor that limits their growth. To help prevent mold in your home:
- Watch for condensation and wet spots.
- Make sure to fix plumbing and roof leaks as soon as possible.
- Vent moisture-generating appliances to the outside.
- Make sure the ground around the perimeter of the house and garage slopes away from your foundation and that drainage is adequate.
- Do not let your foundation stay wet.
- Do not store organic materials in humid locations in your home.
Getting Rid Of Mold
Visible mold should always be cleaned up as quickly as possible. Any mold spores left behind will continue to grow once the area is exposed to any moisture. Thoroughly clean and disinfect the area and dry completely. It is impossible to get rid of all mold and mold spores indoors. However, mold spores will not grow if moisture is not present. If you have visible mold that you have removed, remember to take additional steps to reduce indoor humidity and moisture to prevent it from coming back. Lamunyon Dry Out & Foundation Repair offers these tips for preventing mold growth.
- To prevent mold growth, the humidity in your home should be no higher than 50%. An air conditioner or dehumidifier will help with this.
- Exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathrooms will help decrease moisture through proper ventilation.
- Use paint with mold inhibitors in areas prone to mold, such as bathrooms, kitchens, and basements.
- Clean bathrooms regularly.
- Avoid using carpet in bathrooms as it holds moisture. Regularly wash bathroom rugs.
- Mold can begin to grow within 24-48 hours of water damage. Always dry water damage immediately and completely, using the help of a water damage cleanup company when necessary.
For small cases, you can likely handle the job yourself. However, make sure to address the water problem that caused the mold in the first place. Cleaning up the mold without fixing the water problem will most likely result in the mold returning. For larger mold problems, you will want to contact professional mold removal experts.
Health Risks of Mold
Mold does have the potential to cause health problems. If you’re experiencing health problems or symptoms from mold in your home, it is wise to get it removed. The most common reactions to mold are allergic ones. Allergic reactions include hay fever-like symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, and a possible skin rash. These reactions are similar to those many experience in the spring due to the increase of pollen in the air. Some people have little or no reaction, while others have severe reactions. Molds can also cause asthma attacks in people with asthma. It is also suggested that other illnesses can develop as a result of mold, including dizziness, headaches, fatigue, memory loss, and other problems.
The CDC says a link between toxic mold and these conditions has not been proven, but research on mold and health risks continues. When in doubt, it is best to avoid mold exposure and have it removed from your home. If you have a mold problem in your Manhattan home, Lamunyon Dry Out & Foundation Repair can help. We can find hidden areas of mold growth, remove existing mold, and take measures to prevent mold growth from recurring.
Who Should Cleanup Mold?
If you have mold in your Manhattan home, determining who should perform the cleanup depends on several factors. What is the size of your mold problem? A little bit of mold in your shower is something homeowners can easily tackle on their own. Frequent maintenance with bleach and water can do the trick. For mold removal that covers less than 10 square feet, chances are you can handle the cleanup yourself. If you are developing a more severe mold problem, you will most likely not only be able to see it but also smell it. If you’ve ever walked into a room with a musty odor, chances are what you smell is mold.
Keep in mind that sometimes you will not be able to see mold. It may be hidden on the back of the wallpaper, tile, drywall, or even underneath the carpet. When hiring a mold removal professional to do the cleanup, you must be dealing with someone who is trained in this type of cleanup. The restoration professionals at Lamunyon Dry Out & Foundation Repair will ensure that the affected area is dealt with professionally and thoroughly.
Professional Mold Removal Services
To remove large areas of mold or areas of hidden mold in your home, it is best to hire a professional for mold removal. Lamunyon Dry Out & Foundation Repair provides mold removal throughout Mid Kansas and North Central Kansas, including Manhattan areas. A mold removal professional has tools to detect moisture in your home that can be contributing to mold growth. They will also take steps during mold removal to contain the mold to prevent the spores from spreading throughout your home. For large areas of mold, stubborn recurring mold, or even just mold you don’t want to remove yourself, call Lamunyon Dry Out & Foundation Repair.
