The short answer is yes! Mold is one of the most common and misunderstood threats to your home and your health. It grows silently in moisture-prone areas, often going undetected for weeks or even months while causing serious damage to your property and air quality.
The dangers of mold in your home include respiratory problems, allergic reactions, asthma attacks, structural damage, and in severe cases, neurological and immune system complications all of which worsen the longer mold goes untreated.
According to the CDC, mold will grow anywhere there is moisture around leaky pipes, windows, roofs, and in areas that have experienced flooding. There is no way to completely eliminate mold spores from your home, but understanding how mold grows, spreads, and affects your health is the first step toward protecting your family and property.
Common Types of Indoor Mold
The three most common types of mold found in homes and buildings are Aspergillus, Cladosporium, and Penicillium.
Aspergillus can cause an infection known as Aspergillosis in people with weakened immune systems or respiratory diseases. Those at risk may develop lung infections and allergies from inhaling this type of mold spore.
Cladosporium looks green, brown, or black and spotty. It is not harmful in most cases, however, it can lead to asthma and other allergic reactions in some people.
Penicillium can be both good and bad, with some of the more dangerous species producing carcinogenic mycotoxins. Other hazardous forms of this fungal family can cause infections and allergies in the immunocompromised.
While the severity of health effects caused by these common types of indoor mold is inherently dependent on the strength of one’s immune system and sensitivity to allergens, it is imperative to identify leaks early and maintain proper moisture control in your home to avoid developing allergic symptoms and exacerbating existing health problems.
How Does Mold Enter Your Home?
Mold spores are airborne, so they spread rather easily. Spores are typically inactive until the humidity exceeds 70 percent, then they begin to multiply. They can enter a home or building through doors, windows, and vents. Mold spores can also be carried indoors after getting on our clothes and the fur of pets.
How Does Mold Spread in Your Home?
Mold spores travel with the airflow throughout your home. Once mold spores land on a wet or damp surface, they will likely propagate with an infestation occurring in less than two weeks. The key to preventing mold is moisture control. Let’s take a look at some of the common moisture culprits that facilitate diffusion of the fungus among us:
Leaky pipes may go unnoticed under sinks or within walls and provide an ideal breeding ground for mold.
A Leaky roof allows moisture to enter your home, and in a warm attic, mold will reproduce rapidly.
Wet Laundry left unattended on a floor or in a hamper can lead to a moldy mess.
A steamy bathroom after hot showers creates a damp environment that enables mold growth.
Poor ventilation causes dust to accumulate, which is more than enough sustenance for spores to spawn.
It is important to be aware of moisture-prone areas in your home and try to keep these places dry. Regular cleaning of susceptible spaces will help to prevent potential mold propagation.
What Should You Do About Mold in Your Home?
If you see, smell, or even suspect mold in your home, do not wait. Mold spreads fast and the health risks compound with every day of exposure. Professional mold remediation removes mold at the source using industrial-grade equipment, containment protocols, and moisture control techniques that prevent regrowth something surface cleaning simply cannot achieve.
