We’re hearing a lot more about mold in houses today than it was a few decades ago. A number of the reasons might include more awareness of mold problems due to easy access of information over the internet and tighter buildings that are designed to conserve energy but then end up creating conditions that favor mold growth. The primary cause of mold growth are moisture and humidity. If you to fail to keep moisture and humidity at acceptable ranges you might be at risk for mold growth.
Mold in houses is a health hazard, it’s unsightly and also damages materials on which it is growing on. Mold in houses can be found growing on walls, ceiling tiles, clothes, shoes, books, foodstuffs, and other valuable items. Mold in houses, apartments, offices and other buildings could be responsible for thousands of serious illnesses every year. Respiratory (breathing) problems, bleeding, allergies, hives, neurological (nerve) damage and fibromyalgia are just some of the medical conditions that have been suspected to be linked to mold exposure. Exposure to mold can also make existing medical conditions, such as asthma, worse. Many times, mold is “unseen” in an attic or behind walls, so you may have physical symptoms without even knowing the mold is present.
What Causes Mold In Houses?
Mold in houses originates from outside environment in form of airborne spores and fragments. Outside the house, the molds grow on dead plant material (a few of these molds are also capable of growing on living plants causing diseases) and produce spores which become airborne. The concentration of spores in the outside air reaches peak levels in summer. When we open our doors or windows, the spores and other mold fragments are blown into our houses by wind and settle on various surfaces. If the surface on which the spore has settled become wet, the spores germinate and if the material is organic such as paper, leather, and wood the germinated spores continues to develop into visible mold growth which in turn produces mores spores.
A number of molds are also soil borne. These can be carried into houses by flood water or soiled shoes, implements or other articles.
Frequent vacuum cleaning reduces spore load in houses. Keeping the house dry also helps in controlling mold growth in houses.
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