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The Hidden Dangers of Mold: Why You Shouldn't Wait to Address Mold Growth in Your Home

Name: Exit Mold
Address: 1 Irwin Ct., Lynbrook, New York, 11563, United States
Telephone: (516) 512-7877

Mold is never a welcome guest in your home. While mold is natural and its spores are found virtually everywhere inside and outside your home, dealing with an infestation is a frustration that should be avoided at all costs.

In addition to the unsightly and stinky reality of a mold problem, your infestation can have lasting effects on your home as well as your family. Do you know the dangers of leaving a mold infestation unchecked?

Let’s break down the details of why you shouldn’t wait to address mold growth in your home and tips for overcoming a mold infestation below.

The Reality of Mold Growth in Homes

Microscopic mold spores float through the air regardless of the season. As you open windows, run your HVAC system, and go about your day, these spores can easily make their way into your living spaces.

The good news is that even if you have mold spores in your home, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you will experience an infestation or a serious mold problem. Mold has to have the right conditions available to settle in and grow into a colony.

Mold spores need to have these things in their environment to multiply:

Moisture
Oxygen
An undisturbed environment
Time to grow

Moisture is one of the biggest catalysts when it comes to mold infestations. Once moisture is detected, mold spores will quickly settle into the area, especially if it is dark, a little warm, and generally undisturbed.

It is also important to note that mold grows quickly. A mold colony can grow from a few spores to an entire infestation in as little as 24-48 hours. It will only continue to get larger and more impactful the longer it is left to grow, which is why it is important to check your home regularly for mold.

#1 Hidden Danger of Mold: Rapid Spread

Because mold grows so quickly, catching it early can prevent it from growing out of control in your home. Unfortunately, places that are more enticing to mold infestations are often places around your home that go unchecked regularly.

Common locations for mold infestations include:

Attics
Basements
Crawl spaces
Utility rooms

Most families use bathrooms, kitchens, and bedrooms daily, but not storage spaces like attics and basements. This is often what leads to serious mold outbreaks in these areas. As time goes on, the infestation will continue to grow and overtake sections of your home. It can also get behind your walls and under your floors, which can quickly lead to structural problems or even an entire home infestation.

The longer you wait to take care of the problem, the more extensive and costly your mold remediation will be. Don’t wait! Check your home regularly for signs of mold and follow your nose if you smell a musty or earthy odor.

#2 Hidden Danger of Mold: Structural Damage

Mold is much more impactful than simply being stinky or unsightly. Mold has the ability to become incredibly destructive! Mold is a living organism, which can lead to serious structural damage in your home as the mold colony expands.

One of the biggest reasons for this is that there has to be moisture for mold to grow, and excessive moisture in a home is never good. Over time, this lingering moisture can lead to water damage as well as rot. You can expect wood to swell and warp, carpets to become musty, and drywall to become soft and unstable.

Your insulation can also suffer and become less effective under the weight of a mold infestation. Mold will settle into your insulation material, which can make it harder or even impossible to function the way it needs to to keep you comfortable in your home. As the mold degrades your insulation material, drafts become more common as well as uneven temperatures in your home.

#3 Hidden Danger of Mold: Health Concerns

Mold is also a serious danger to the health and safety of your family. Mold exposure can cause health effects for some people, especially young children, people who are immunocompromised, and people with respiratory conditions.

As mold spores are inhaled, it can lead to respiratory irritation and symptoms like an allergic reaction. Common symptoms of mold exposure include:

Runny nose or congestion
Itchy or watery eyes
Persistent sneezing and coughing
An unexplained sore throat
Lung irritation and wheezing
Headache

These symptoms can become a chronic issue the longer the problem is left unaddressed or undiscovered. If you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms, it is important to carefully check your home from top to bottom.

What To Do About a Mold Infestation

Once you discover mold, it’s important to know what to do so you can take care of the problem while also staying safe. The first thing to remember is to leave it alone! Don’t attempt to remove or clean up the mold on your own. Doing so can potentially release more mold spores in the air, which can result in another infestation in a different location in your home. You can also accidentally inhale these spores.

Close off the area and call a reputable mold remediation team instead. Hiring a professional crew for this job will prevent the mold from spreading while also ensuring everyone stays safe during this process.

During a professional mold remediation, your mold removal team will start by identifying the type of mold. This ensures proper safety measures are taken and the right safety gear is worn. Then, the area is contained by sealing up the room, shutting off fans and turning off the HVAC system.

After that, the air is filtered to remove airborne spores, and your walls and floors are cleaned and sanitized. Once the mold has been taken care of, any structural damage caused by the mold will be reversed as well.

Skip the mess and potential danger by calling Exit Mold instead! Our talented team is here to help handle your mold emergency with precision and expertise. Call us today at (516) 512-7877 to schedule your mold remediation.

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