What Is Mold?
The word mold refers to organisms that are part of the fungi world, meaning they are neither plant nor animal. Molds tend to digest whatever they are growing on, and their primary role in nature is to break down decaying organic matter like leaves or dead plants and animals.
Mold in Your Home
Although there are many types of mold out there, they all require moisture in order to grow. The way molds reproduce is by sending tiny, microscopic spores through the air. Outdoor mold is part of the natural world, but indoor mold is not. Mold spores can enter your home by various means, including:
- Open doors and windows
- Vents
- Heating and air conditioning systems
- Attaching to shoes, clothing, school bags and pets
Household mold can start growing in almost any area with a high level of moisture. Sometimes, these areas are caused by humidity levels in the environment and sometimes they are created by the people living in the home. Some of the common areas household mold is found include:
- Basements
- Around baseboards
- In moist bathrooms
- Around leaky roofs and windows
- Areas of previous flooding
- Ceiling tiles
- Damp carpet
- Drywall and insulation
- Wallpaper
- Fabrics and upholstery
Health Risks of Mold
As long as mold spores don’t come into contact with any damp or moist surfaces in your home, they won’t spread or cause any health concerns for your family. However, if they do find areas of moisture, they have the potential to cause mild to serious health issues, such as:
- Allergic reactions similar to hay fever
- Skin irritation
- Cold-like symptoms like runny nose, itchy eyes or wheezing
- Asthma attacks in people with asthma
- Chronic respiratory infection for people with existing lung conditions
Some people are more sensitive to mold than others are, but it is wise for everyone to keep their distance and have their home inspected if there is a mold problem, or if members of the household are suffering from any of the symptoms.
Benefits of Professional Mold Inspection
Taking preventative measures like fixing leaks and controlling humidity levels will help reduce the likelihood of mold spores spreading within your home, but a professional mold inspection and testing is the only accurate way to determine how widespread the problem really is. If any members of your household are sensitive to mold or experiencing any of the symptoms of mold exposure, you owe it them and yourself to get some peace of mind.
Professional mold inspection will determine how your mold outbreak started and where it started. Finding the root cause is crucial if you want to ensure the problem doesn’t come back. Contact Steam Canada in London Area and across Ontario if you’ve been experiencing the effects of mold in your home, and we will get the process started.