Mold can easily enter your home and it can continue to grow and develop sometimes without you even noticing. Whether mold gets dragged in on a pair of shoes that walked through the mud or starts to grow in a dark, moist corner of your basement, mold can become a problem for your house as well as for your own personal health.
Mold: What It Looks Like and Where It Grows
Mold can present itself in many forms and colors. Some mold is black and slimy, like the mold that is often found in bathrooms. Other mold can be a bright orange color and in some cases can even take the form of a fuzzy, white substance. Mold most often grows in dark areas where there is excessive moisture which can make it difficult to identify and locate. Many people discover mold in their home once the problem has grown out of control.
Mold Allergies: Symptoms and Health Risks
Many people have environmental mold allergies which can result in symptoms that range from mild to severe. Most people who suffer from mold allergies have symptoms such as a scratchy throat, sneezing, red and watery eyes or a skin rash. However, it's important to note that even people without a mold allergy can suffer from debilitating symptoms if there is mold in the home. In addition, mold can exacerbate asthma symptoms and can increase the risk of an asthma attack.
How to Prevent Mold in Your Home
There are several steps that you can take in order to prevent mold in your home, including:
- Monitor the humidity levels in your home and use a dehumidifier in order to eliminate excessive moisture from the home. Many people find that a dehumidifier is an excellent option for basement levels which are notorious for having higher levels of moisture at any given time.
- Run the exhaust fan in your bathroom when you are taking a shower. The steam from your shower can create excessive moisture, and the exhaust fan will work to quickly eliminate that moisture from the small, confined area in the bathroom.
- Keep an eye out for leaks in your home - even the less obvious leaks that may be taking place inside the walls of your home. If you notice the sign of a leak, be sure to have it fixed quickly. If a leak is ignored for too long, the water that collects in the area will quickly lead to mold growth.
- Surface clean your home regularly and consider using mold-repellant products. You should wipe down your countertops, tiles and tubs with cleaning products at least once every few days, and this can help prevent mold spores from being able to take hold in your bathroom and on your surfaces.
Preventing mold growth and development in your house will allow you to enjoy a healthy home for years to come. If you do find mold then the best thing to do is take action. You may be surprised by how much better you feel physically once the mold has been removed from your home.
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