How much do you know about mold growth? Aside from bugs and other pests, another thing to keep away from your home is mold. Mold isn’t only seen in food, but can also be present in places where moisture accumulates. Mold usually grow during the hot and humid season, but can cold weather lead to mold growth as well?
The answer is yes.
The winter season cannot spare homes from mold growth, for as long as these things exist:
- Presence of Cellulose
Cellulose is the substance that molds feed and live on. Probable places where you can find cellulose are on food items (bread, fruits, vegetables, cheese, etc.) and home items (wood, cotton, sponge).
- Excess Moisture
When your home experiences leaks or frequent exposure to moist environment conditions such as rain and melting snow, there is a higher chance that you will experience having mold in your home.
- Dim areas
If your house has dim areas such as hallways, or under furniture, you will notice that mold can grow, and they can grow at around 24-48 hours given the right conditions.
Aside from being unsightly, mold also can have a negative effect on one’s health and overall living. Here are some of the effects of having mold in your home.
Effects of having mold in your home
1. Nasal Stuffiness and Throat Irritation
Mold can release spores that cannot be seen by the naked eye. Once this is inhaled, the mold can cause congestion of the nose and sore throats. People who have sensitive noses are more susceptible to irritation by mold.
2. Skin allergies
Exposure to mold may also cause skin allergies such as rashes and dryness. The spores can also cause these allergies even without direct contact.
3. Chronic Lung Problems
For individuals with compromised immunity, removing mold and the moisture that causes them in homes is very important. Inhalation of mold particles can cause life-threatening lung problems such as construction and production of phlegm.
4. Toxicity
This is the negative effect most people would know. Mold present in food, when eaten, can cause an upset stomach and even food poisoning. Food poisoning is very dangerous requires intensive medical attention when serious.
These effects are enough to be a cause of concern for anyone who wants to keep their family healthy at home. Thankfully, there are easy ways to prevent and get rid of molds during the cold season.
How to Remove and Prevent Mold in Your Home
1. Check for possible leaks and moisture sources
During the cold season, check if your ceilings and walls have leaks where mold can grow. Mold can usually appear in wooden ceilings that are constantly damp. Another sign is a strong pungent smell in certain areas where moisture is present. Take note of these leaks and find a way to replace the old wood and patch up the source of the leak.
2. Cleaning and drying promptly
It is important to dry off your furniture and each room of your house if flooding occurred or if moisture was present. Use dryers with heat for your linen and clothing, and make sure to dry off carpets in the dry heat. Not being able to dry off cloth and furniture after flooding can cause molds in your home.
3. Ensure proper ventilation in areas of your home that are usually moist
The kitchen and bathroom are the areas most susceptible to molds due to the constant presence of water and moisture. In order to avoid this, secure proper ventilation by having an exhaust fan, or open up the windows to ensure that all items can be dried up promptly after washing. This will also prevent the mold particles from roaming around the air in your home.
4. Hire a mold removal specialist
One of the greatest advantages of modern technology is being able to find services that can completely remove mold in your home. If you think that the mold in your home is too much of a burden to handle alone, we recommend availing the service of a mold removal specialist such as Mold Zero. Mold Zero is a company that offers mold removal services that are safe, non-toxic and effective. They can set up an appointment for you, and send a mold removal specialist to address certain rooms in your house, and even your entire home as you prefer.
With the help of basic knowledge and specialist services, you can create a home that is mold-free, odor-free and disease-free. Protect your loved ones from the dangers of mold contamination and apply these steps especially during the cold season.
It was very alarming to read that something like mold can cause respiratory problems when left alone. This is especially drastic for me because my family has a long-running history of lung problems, and we’ve been taking a lot of measures to make sure none of us get attacks. Since it’s been raining a lot lately, I won’t take any chances and will now find a mold remediation service that can help me ensure that my house is mold-free.