Mold is a type of fungus that can cause stains and bad odors and contribute to poor indoor air quality. Mold can also break down organic materials and cause dry rot. The microscopic spores can spread throughout a home or building quickly and cause an infestation. A recent survey conducted by the National Center for Healthy Housing revealed that 49 percent of respondents have concerns about mold.
According to the survey, these respondents are aware and concerned about living with the following issues:
1. Mold Growth
Mold needs several things to grow: spores, food, habitable temperatures and moisture. Mold spores are virtually everywhere, and they can feed on just about anything, which means that these two factors are impossible to control. Molds can even grow in near-freezing temperatures, as anyone who has ever cleaned out a refrigerator knows. Moisture is one factor that can be controlled. Molds like humidity to remain around 70 percent, so anything drier than this can cause the fungus to simply dry up and die.
2. Conditions that aggravate allergies and/or asthma
Tiny mold spores and fragments of molds can become disrupted when you open the windows or during normal household cleaning. When these spores are airborne, you may breathe them into your nose or lungs, where they can cause hayfever symptoms or trigger an asthma attack. Indoor molds can cause symptoms all year long, and allergy sufferers may experience chronic nasal congestion, worsening asthma symptoms, sneezing and itchy, watery eyes.
3. Dampness and Musty Odors
A musty-smelling, damp-feeling home can feel uninviting, but it can be hard to pinpoint the source. The dampness is like a welcome mat to the mold spores, and the musty smell is the aroma of mold. Getting rid of the mold will instantly make your home more welcoming.
4. Pests Such as Roaches and Mice
Household pests can be a nightmare for homeowners. Did you know that they can also be linked to mold? In fact, the same conditions that are so attractive to those ever-present mold spores, such as warmth and moisture, are also quite appealing to pests like roaches and mice. The pests also tend to appreciate the mold or mold-damaged drywall, paper or wood as a food source. Getting rid of the mold can help you tackle your pest problem, too.
Tackling mold can be a big job. Disrupting the fungal growth can release dozens or hundreds more spores into the air if you aren’t careful. A professional can quickly and efficiently identify all areas of mold growth, isolate them and eliminate the infestation. If you think you have a mold or dampness problem, call the experts at Flood and Mold NJ today to schedule a consultation.