Why does the mushroom get invited to all of the cool parties?
‘Cuz he’s a fun guy! (Fungi? Is this thing on?)
All kidding aside, fungi in the form of mold can be found in most homes and if not cleaned properly, it can thrive. For anyone who is exposed to it, it can cause many health effects, such as congestion, throat irritation, coughing, wheezing, eye irritation, and skin rashes. For those who are allergic, these reactions can be severe, and it can even cause asthma in people with allergies.
What exactly is mold?
Mold is a type of fungi that reproduces by forming spores that are invisible to the naked eye, and when these spores land on a moist surface, they begin to grow. The most common types of household mold are Cladosporium, Penicillium, Alternaria, and Aspergillus and less commonly, Stachybotrys chartarum (“black mold”), a greenish-black mold that grows on wood, fiberboard, paper, dust, and lint.
What causes mold?
Mold loves damp areas. This can be rooms where there is usually moisture like bathrooms and basements or it can be found in places where there has been water damage due to flooding, cracks in the foundation, etc.
The main contributing factors:
Roof leaks
Clogged gutters
Flooding
Poorly ventilated showers or laundry rooms
Cracks and leaks in foundation
Leaks in window and door seals
Attics with poor ventilation
If you have found that you have a mold problem, don’t pack up and move just yet. There are several ways to eradicate the mold and deter it from coming back. If you have a severe mold problem, you should consider calling in a professional cleaner that specializes in mold removal. There are several commercial products you can use yourself that are available in most hardware stores, and you could also use soap and water or a bleach solution of 1 cup of household bleach to 1 gallon of water. As with any kind of harsh chemical, it’s important to wear the proper safety equipment including safety glasses, non-porous gloves, coveralls to protect clothing and you may want to consider a ventilator mask as well. And as always, make sure your work area is well-ventilated.
When it comes to many things in life, including mold, the best offense is the best defense. Once the mold is cleaned, there are steps you take to keep it from coming back or to prevent it in the first place:
Control the humidity levels in damp-prone rooms by using a dehumidifier.
Promptly fix any leaky roofs, windows, pipes, or broken gutters.
Quickly clean up if you experience any flooding in your home.
Clean gutters often to remove leaves and debris and check for leaks.
Properly ventilate shower, laundry, and cooking areas.
Use mold inhibitors before you paint a room where there could be moisture.
Use mold-killing products regularly when cleaning.
Don’t use carpets or rugs in basements or bathrooms.
With these few simple precautions, you can keep mold from ever growing in your home.
When gutters become clogged, they can overflow which can cause a myriad of problems such as cracks in your foundation or leaks in your windows or doors, all of which can create an optimum environment for mold to grow and thrive. Our professional technicians can clean all the debris from your gutters and inspect them for any damage. Call GutterPros today!