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Mold Treatments
Mold is a fungus that grows in moist, humid environments. If you have water damage in your home or business, the moisture can create an environment conducive to mold growth. Mold treatment needs to be taken care of right away if there are signs of it in your area. Left untreated, it could spread and cause health problems for people who are sensitive to toxic substances like mold spores.
Houston Flood Cleanup is a company that specializes in mold treatment and prevention. Mold spores can become airborne and be inhaled into the lungs, causing severe health problems such as asthma, allergies, or even lung cancer. These spores also often grow on wet surfaces like insulation and carpeting, leading to respiratory problems if it remains untreated for too long. This blog post will discuss some of the most common types of mold found in most homeowners and how they affect your health and provide you with some tips on preventing them from growing in your home environment!
COMMON MOLDS FOUND AT HOME
Chaetomium
This mold thrives in damp, dark environments and is often found growing on soil and plant debris. Unfortunately, it’s also one of the more prevalent molds to develop in houses damaged by flooding or large water leaks.
Chaetomium is a mold that causes allergic reactions. It becomes fuzzy white in appearance as it develops. It darkens over time and resembles the frightening black mold. The two forms may even grow in the same place at the same time. Both need enough moisture to thrive.
Alternaria
Alternaria is a common mold found in homes and can be dangerous to people who have asthma or allergies. It’s more prevalent during the summer months when humidity levels are high.
Symptoms of Alternaria exposure can include fatigue, fever, dry cough, shortness of breath, headache, chest pain, and skin rash. This type of mold may also be found growing on food and produce.
Mucor
This is another common mold found in homes, especially those with flooded basements or water damage. It’s also known as Stachybotrys Chartarum, and it tends to darken over time like Chaetomium. This toxic mold can irritate the skin, eyes, nose, throat and allergic reactions.
Just like Alternaria, Mucor can grow on food and produce as well! Unfortunately, it’s often found growing in people’s refrigerators where humidity is high from water condensation leaking from the appliance itself. This mold also thrives in soil, making flooding all the more dangerous to a home or business owner who doesn’t take the necessary precautions to protect their space.
Trichoderma
Trichoderma is a type of green mold that grows on wood and other organic materials. It’s not considered dangerous to humans, but it does damage the structural integrity of any building where it develops, primarily if large amounts are located near your home’s foundation.
The best way to prevent Trichoderma from developing in your home is to ensure you don’t have any standing water or moisture damage in your basement. If the problem isn’t addressed, it can lead to harmful molds like Chaetomium and Mucor developing further down the line.
PREVENTING MOLD GROWTH IN YOUR HOME ENVIRONMENT
There are some simple steps that you can take to get rid of mold growth around your home environment:
Keep Your Home Dry
Mold spores need a certain amount of moisture to develop and survive. They can’t grow or spread without it, so keeping your home as dry as possible is the first step in preventing mold from growing! Dry completely your place in order to prevent chronic lung disease and moldy surfaces.
Remove Any Standing Water
If you have any standing water around your property, such as after an outdoor flood, make sure that you remove all debris from the area. Contaminated water can pose health concerns which is why it is crucial that you wear goggles if you will remove it yourself. This will help to prevent any future mold growth and encourage it to dry out quickly!
Don't Leave Wet Clothes Anywhere
Mold loves damp, dark places, and that includes your laundry room. So make sure to hang any wet clothes outside or use a drying rack indoors after you’ve washed them until they’re completely dry! Any wood surfaces should be cleaned using cleaning products.
Keep Your Home Ventilated
When the air inside your home is moist, mold spores can develop quickly, so keeping a good ventilation with fans will help promote air circulation and kill mold from growing on your walls or floors.
Clean Your HVAC System Regularly
It is important to have your furnace and air conditioner free from moldy walls. Prevent mold by cleaning the dirt affected areas and clean your exhaust fans too.
Keeping these simple steps in mind can help you protect your property’s foundation, health, and safety! While this list is not exhaustive of all the types of molds that grow inside homes, it gives a good idea of what you might expect if flooding occurs. Prevent future mold growth by using mold cleaner. However, if you are not sure to do it yourself and do not want to put your health at risk, call Houston Flood Cleanup for mold remediation.