All of us want the safest, healthiest home environment for our families. We would do anything to protect our loved ones from exposure to any substance that could cause them harm.
One of those feared substances is “mold” and with what we’ve seen in the news in recent years, exposure to harmful or “toxic” mold has affected the health of countless people — folks just like me and you.
This brings up the all-important question: Just exactly how dangerous is mold in homes?
That’s a tough question, because there are many different types of mold and mold is virtually everywhere. There is probably a little mold in your basement right now. Your shoes when you came home yesterday no doubt brought in a few mold spores. Mold spores can be in breathable space and travel in the air.
When we step outside, we are surrounded by mold. There’s nothing we can do about that. The main concern is usually what’s in the home, not outside, although if you are sensitive to mold you should avoid all damp areas that could promote mold growth, inside and out.
Some people are affected by even the smallest amounts of mold. They may have nasal issues, watery eyes, coughing and other physical reactions. A smaller segment of the population are very sensitive to exposure to mold, having severe reactions that can be life threatening. Others aren’t affected at all, and can be around and/or exposure to all types of molds with no apparent sensitivities.
The CDC has plenty of information for those concerned with mold in homes. One of the issues they raise is keeping moisture out of homes. “Mold will grow in places with a lot of moisture, such as around leaks in roofs, windows, or pipes, or where there has been flooding,” according to the CDC government website.
The issue is twofold if mold is growing in your home. You must clean and remove it, and you must fix the moisture problem. You can do research on how to fix the problem, but the best solution is getting expert advice from your professional water damage restoration contractor or mold removal or remediation company. Keep your family safe. Call the experts.