What is Mold?
Mold is a form of fungus that’s found inside and outside of the home. It often grows in warm damp environments. Mold needs four things to grow: organic nutrients, moisture, a surface to grow on, and darkness.
Mold needs to eat something to live, and it’s perfectly content eating away at your home if you choose to ignore it. You may not be aware though that there are at least five hidden secrets about mold and how it impacts both your health and home. Did you know that mold can spoil your food, can cause mood swings, and leave a musty smell throughout your home, placing your health in serious jeopardy?
The Mold Affect
Your Health – Mold causes simple allergic reactions such as sniffing, sneezing, and watery eyes. Some people have far much worse results that also include difficulty breathing and asthma attacks. Several types of molds release a toxic substance called mycotoxins. Exposure to high concentration mycotoxins can lead to bronchitis, heart problems, and bleeding lungs.
Crawlspaces – Mold is located underneath a home’s crawlspace area and contains both soil and dirt which produces moisture. Crawlspaces are a regular breeding ground for mold. That’s because moisture condenses on foundation walls and subflooring, which acts as a food source for mold.
Cavity Walls – What are the implications of mold in wall cavities for a home owners health? Even though mold particulates may not be an issue, since they are incapable of traveling through drywall, mold does give off gases as it grows. These gases penetrate through the walls of a room and into the air. The gasses are then biologically active, and could negatively impact your long term health.
Carpet – Mold is hard to find because it lives beneath the surface of the carpet. Carpet that’s damp, moist, and wet produces various allergens, bacteria, pet dander, and dust that allows mold to grow. These allergens are also harmful to your immune system.
Ductwork – Have you noticed water or moisture throughout areas of your home that are dark? It’s very common to find mold growing in a home’s ductwork system. Mold also spreads rapidly. The quickest way for mold to spread is through your ductwork within a 48-hour period. Residents who live in a home with similar conditions report having severe headaches, watery eyes, nausea, and skin disorders.
Insulation, Your First Line of Defense
Insulation is one of the best sources of protection against mold. That’s because insulation can control moisture and a home’s temperature. Selecting the right insulation isn’t easy, but it’s the first step in creating a dry and properly-functioning living area.
When choosing your insulation, you should take the surrounding environment and your circumstances into consideration. For help with making the right choice, contact one our estimators today at (443) 290-5182 for your free home insulation quote.
