Mold is one of the most serious dangers that can build up in a home. It can cause permanent damage to your home and can also be dangerous to you, your family, and your pets. In some instances, it can even be life-threatening. It cannot be stressed enough how hazardous mold in your home can be. The best remedy is to quickly identify mold and have it removed by a trained, licensed professional.
The CDC has reported numerous studies that show mold’s effect on people’s health. Mold can cause itching skin, red or itchy eyes, wheezing, and a stuffy nose. For people with preexisting conditions such as asthma or allergies, the reactions can be even worse, with mold causing upper respiratory tract symptoms, coughing, and hypersensitivity pneumonitis. It is also suspected that mold may cause children to develop asthma.
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis is a particularly scary health problem that can cause devastating health issues. This can happen when mold triggers your immune system, causing inflammation in your lungs. If left untreated, it can result in permanent scarring on lung tissue, impairing proper functioning. Symptoms will only worsen over time with repeated, prolonged exposure. Fortunately, one treatment for the condition can be simply removing what is triggering the immune response in the first place – mold.
What might feel like allergies could be a reaction to mold in your house as the symptoms closely mirror those for allergies, including hay fever symptoms. One possible clue you may have a mold problem is if you are experiencing allergy symptoms year-round. There is no specific medical test for mold exposure. Doctors instead will have to test for allergies to rule them out. Detecting it medically can be a complicated process. Making matters worse, mold doesn’t always grow where you can easily discover it. Common areas are basements, bathrooms, and laundry rooms – damp places, where water can accumulate, and humidity is plentiful.
Mold can grow in upholstery, insulation, wallpaper, carpet, and even in dust. It can enter your house through air-conditioning systems, open doors, or windows, and also be carried indoors by your pets. Once inside, it will thrive anywhere it finds moisture. It can be especially prominent if you’ve had flooding or a leaking or burst pipe recently.
The key to protecting your home, and more importantly, your family, from mold, is to act fast. You need a trained professional to assess your home and find mold where it hides and flourishes. American Veterans Restoration is owner-operated, so that means your problem is ours, and we’ll handle it as such, taking care of your home just like our own. If you think you may have mold in your home, contact us today for a free inspection. You and your family’s health could depend on it.
Mold is a rather strange organism that can take many different forms – some more hazardous than others. No, we are not talking about the mold that creeps up into your loaf of bread seemingly just a few days after you bought it. Rather, we are referring to the mold that affects the structure and safety of your home. The location of your home plays a large part in the risk of developing mold.
Not everyone is affected by the presence of mold to the same extent – while some hardly notice any health issues, others may experience wheezing, and irritation of the eyes and skin. This is a direct consequence of exposure to something called a “mycotoxin.” Certain types of mold, known as “toxigenic molds,” produce toxins that can present serious health complications, particularly for those that are immuno-compromised or have pre-existing respiratory conditions.
With its ability to spread throughout your home and produce such toxins, you may be wondering, “What exactly is mold?” Mold is a type of fungus that grows naturally both indoors and out. They spread by producing spores, which are tiny reproductive units that allow fungi to reproduce – or in this case, form new growths in different sites within your home. Since they can persist in conditions that the mold itself cannot, spores are virtually invincible to DIY techniques intended to remove them.
Experts believe that there are more than 300,000 species of mold around the world! One of the largest numbers of any living group of organisms, rivaling that of insects, which make up a large portion of the world’s biodiversity. The most common types of mold that homeowners will run into include:
Molds come in different textures and colors, including black, yellow, and green. They can be quite smooth to the touch or rough, depending on the species and its location. Though these characteristics may help you in identifying a certain mold species, it is strongly advised that you leave this task to a professional instead.
American Veterans Restoration is available to help you to eliminate the presence of mold in your home. We offer free inspections and work directly with your insurance company to ensure that you get the protection you need. If you have spotted mold growth or observed any of the following signs please contact us right away.
Mold remediation is the process of locating, identifying, and eradicating mold growth in the home. Without the proper tools or professional assistance, it is impossible to determine the extent of damage done by the fungal growth (despite the abundance of DIY methods involving bleach and dish detergent). A thorough mold remediation job would involve the following:
Mold can grow in areas that are not accessible to you as the homeowner. However, our expert technicians will be able to identify the affected surfaces in your home, no matter how tricky they are to reach – a job that may be significantly more difficult after a flood, for example. Keep in mind that your home’s heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system must be inspected as well during remediation services. This will ensure that spores and other growths are not stashed away, waiting to harm you in the future.
We want to do everything in our power to ensure your health and safety in your home or business. You can rest assured that we are equipped to handle any type of mold that is colonizing your property.
