Mold spores thrive in warm, humid conditions like those in Staten Island homes. They can cause sneezing, itchy, scaly skin, and other symptoms. Prolonged exposure can cause significant health issues.
What is Mold?
Fungi, called mold, thrive in moist environments, most commonly in houses or other structures that have had water damage. Mold thrives on damp or damaged materials, consuming them and releasing spores that spread the growth to new surfaces and other building areas. While mold growth can result in rashes and irritated eyes in healthy individuals, mold exposure can have more detrimental effects on respiratory disorders like asthma or allergies.
Toxic mycotoxins, which specific varieties of mold create, can make people sick or even kill them. Mycotoxin poisoning symptoms include various upper respiratory symptoms, including coughing, wheezing, and an itchy or runny nose. Long-term exposure to toxic black mold can also cause severe pulmonary disease and inflamed sinuses.
A recent study analyzed 311 reports to find which neighborhoods have the most minor mold problems and what factors may contribute to them.
What Causes Mold Growth?
Mold can grow in damp conditions, making them ideal for mold growth. In addition to being drawn to organic things like wood, mold, and mildew, I prefer wet, gloomy surroundings. The best way to prevent mold growth is to remove the food source and control the moisture level.
Most homes experience high levels of humidity that offer the perfect environment for mold spores to develop. A lack of ventilation in kitchens and bathrooms often causes high moisture. It may also result from continuous rainy weather or poor air circulation in attics and basements.
Warm air condenses into water droplets when it touches cold surfaces, providing the moisture that mold spores require to increase. That is why ensuring your home is adequately ventilated is so essential.
The most common signs of mold infestation are stains or discolorations on walls and ceilings. The musty mold odor is another clear indication that a mold infestation is present. Contacting a specialist in mold removal in Staten Island immediately if you observe any of these signs is critical since mold can spread swiftly and result in serious health problems. Nonporous materials such as metals and rigid plastics can usually be cleaned without a problem, but porous materials like carpet, insulation, wallboard, and wallpaper must be removed and replaced.
What Are the Signs of Mold Growth?
If you notice a musty, earthy smell, it is a sign that mold may be present. Likewise, if you or your family have respiratory symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, itchy eyes, congestion, or difficulty breathing, these may also be signs of a mold problem. In addition, if your symptoms only occur in certain rooms or areas of your home, this is another warning sign. Symptoms may even worsen after you leave the area for a short period. Exposure to mycotoxins (toxins released by some types of mold) contributes to a condition called “sick building syndrome.”
Mold can appear in various colors and textures based on the species it has latched onto. For example, Stachybotrys chartarum, or black mold, grows on cellulose material such as paper and fiberboard and can be greenish-black. It can also grow on gypsum board (drywall). Other types of mold, such as mildew, are flat and powdery and can be white or gray.
Routine visual inspections of roofs, basements, crawl spaces, and along the foundations of homes and buildings can help identify the presence of mold. Keeping humidity low and repairing all water leaks immediately will prevent mold development. Nonporous materials such as metals and rigid plastics can usually be cleaned. Still, porous items such as carpeting and drywall should be removed and replaced if they are affected by mold.
How Can I Prevent Mold Growth?
Mold spores will thrive in areas of the home with plenty of moisture and begin to grow within 24 – 48 hours. The spores can spread and contaminate other areas of the house in just a few days, given the right conditions.
The best way to prevent the spread of mold spores is to promptly address any areas in your home affected by water damage. In addition, ensuring that any materials exposed to the elements are correctly dried and ventilated will also help limit the likelihood of mold growth.
When it comes to your clothes and linens, ensure they are scorched before storing them in closets or other places where they can absorb moisture. Additionally, keeping a low-wattage light on in the closet will help to dispel any lingering moisture and prevent spores from developing.
When you use your bathroom, please turn on the exhaust fan and leave it running for 30 minutes after showering or bathing. Be sure to remove any toys, shampoos, body washes, and loofas from the shower to reduce the risk of mold growth in your home. Finally, avoid overusing your dryer to eliminate the buildup of moisture in your clothing. Using a dehumidifier in basements and other damp areas of your home can also help to keep humidity levels down.
