Some molds do well when grown outdoors. They help decompose dead trees and serve other environmental purposes. And while mold is mostly outdoors, under certain circumstances it can grow indoors. However, you can prevent mold from growing in your home.
This article describes ways to prevent mold growth and why you need to do so. Knowing what mold is and how it can get into the house is just as important as knowing how to prevent it. In the following we will briefly explain the term mold.
Definition of mold
Mold is a term used to describe 100,000 species of fungus that grow on and around wet or damp organic matter. This article provides a list of the most common types of mold. Mold spreads very quickly when there is excess moisture. They are also very small in that it takes around 250,000 mold spores to completely cover the head of a pin. They are in the air and also microscopic, meaning they cannot be seen with the naked eye.
How does mold grow?
Mold thrives wherever there is moisture. So if spores fall on a damp area in the house, mold can grow in that area. Besides moisture, the other requirements for mold growth are:
- oxygen
- Low temperature
- An organic substance like wallpaper, dust, dirt, and drywall.
When a spore begins to grow, it can become a new colony within a few days.
Why you need to prevent mold growth in your home
You may be very relaxed about these microscopic mushrooms that grow in your home, especially if they grow in places that are not really used, like the basement. This shouldn't be because these tiny guys can pose some health risks when inhaled by a person. When molds grow outdoors they are usually not that toxic, but they can be very toxic when growing inside because their growth is more concentrated. Instead of waiting for them to grow, you can just take preventative measures to keep them from growing.
Mold can also cause asthma attacks and allergies, and make people more susceptible to the flu and colds. However, the health risk associated with exposure to mold often depends on the individual. That's because; Some people are more sensitive to mold. The reaction of a person who is sensitive to mold when exposed to mold can range from skin and eye irritation to something more threatening like lung infections and severe asthma attacks. According to a Mayo Clinic study conducted in 1999, mold can cause chronic sinus infection. You can read this article https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/1999/09/990910080344.htm to learn more about it. Chronic sinuses are said to infect approximately 37 million Americans annually. Recent studies have also shown that molds are linked to the higher rate of asthma. Now that we know how mold grow and how it can affect health, let's discuss how to prevent mold growth in the home.
How to prevent mold growth in the home
Since mold has already been determined to grow due to moisture, you can use the following precautions to prevent it from growing …
1. Dry your room with a dehumidifier
A dehumidifier removes moisture and greatly reduces the chance of powdery mildew and mold forming. They also make the air in the room feel cooler. This further helps curb the growth of these bad guys.
2. Purge the water as soon as possible
You need to remove spilled water from any surface as soon as possible. You can forget to clean the water if you don't clean it asap. When the water dries out by itself, moisture is created and a breeding ground for spores is created.
3. Speed up the drying of the carpet
If you use carpets, you can create a breeding ground for spores if you spill water on the carpets. However, accidents in which water can get on your carpets can happen at any time. In that case, you'd have to clean up the carpet. However, carpets take a long time to dry. The longer the moisture remains, the more susceptible your floor to mold becomes. How do you speed up the process? Just use a fan and let it run 24/7 for a week or even more depending on how much water was spilled. Note that the rug may look dry and fine, but it can retain moisture inside. Let the fans run as long as possible.
4. Disinfect your baseboards and walls
If rainwater touches something, make sure the thing is sanitized. Also, occasionally use soap and water to clean your walls and household surfaces. Then mix a gallon of water and chlorine bleach and use the solution to sanitize all cleaned surfaces.
5. Check the furniture
Your furniture can hide water damage. Because of this, you need to thoroughly inspect your home for water damage by lifting the furniture. If you discover water pollution and water problems during your inspection, either fan dry them or if the damage is a little more serious. You can rent a dry / wet vacuum.
6. Steam clean your floor and carpet
Steam clean your carpets regularly. This will help deodorize and disinfect them to reduce the chance of mold growing on them. If you already have mold in your home, you will need to hire a mold removal company. For a sum, they have your home completely mold free. And you can take the preventative measures outlined in this article to prevent it from happening again. You can visit PrecisionMoldRemoval.com to find out where to get the best mold removal services. Remember that mushrooms growing in the home can pose health risks. Hence, they need to be treated as urgently as you would any other infestation.
Conclusion
Mold growing at home can cause some health problems, especially in people who are very sensitive to mold. Hence, it is very important to prevent their growth.
