Mold is
a very important health issue in housing. It is created by moisture that is not
cleaned up or not noticed. If you’re like me with an allergy to penicillin, or
if you have asthma, it can be a life threatening issue instead of just a gross
problem.
Even without serious medical conditions, mold can create respiratory problems, even as minor as a perpetually stuffy nose. The bad news is that you can never totally eliminate mold spores in your home’s atmosphere. You can only limit your home’s exposure through moisture control.
Even without serious medical conditions, mold can create respiratory problems, even as minor as a perpetually stuffy nose. The bad news is that you can never totally eliminate mold spores in your home’s atmosphere. You can only limit your home’s exposure through moisture control.
In
order to control the mold in your home, you need to first clean up the current
mold that is growing. Then you can begin to exercise moisture control. If there
was a water leak that caused the moisture to gather and turn to mold, the issue
needs to be addressed immediately. If water can get in, then other things can
get in as well, such as insects and other pests. Reducing the humidity in your
home can also be beneficial in limiting mold growth. You can limit this by
getting a dehumidifier, properly venting warm/moist areas of the home such as
the clothes dryer and bathroom. An air conditioner can also help decrease the
humidity in your home. Finally, you should use exhaust fans as much as possible
when cooking, dishwashing or cleaning. If you should see building materials or
furniture that has gotten wet, you need to try to clean the moisture up as best
as you can within 24-48 hours of it occurring. Hard surfaces with mold, such as
faucets, need to be scrubbed with water and cleanser, whereas absorbent
materials like ceiling tiles need to be replaced. Properly weatherize your home
to limit exposure to condensation around windows, doors, exterior walls, etc.
Do not install carpet in areas with constant moisture problems, like around
sinks or drinking fountains, or on concrete floors that have leaks.
If
the mold and moisture problem is something you cannot handle yourself, such as
after a major flood, there are plenty of mold removal services you can call.
They will come in and inspect your home. They can perform air and surface tests
to determine if there are spores in the air or if it is limited to surface
areas. They will submit your tests to be analyzed by a laboratory. If they find
you have sufficient mold, mold removal will begin. After the mold removal
process ends, they will come in and perform tests again to make sure that the
mold has been eliminated. You need to take the above steps to ensure that the
mold will not return.
If you
need weatherization assistance, please contact NHS of South Buffalo at
716-837-0071.
