Video transcriptWhat Is Mold and Why Does It Matter?
What is mold, and why does it matter? Hi, I am Josh from Mold and Air Duct Pros, based in Cleveland, Ohio. Mold is a fungus that includes thousands of different species. It may grow indoors or outdoors and thrives in damp, warm, and humid environments. Mold develops when mold spores are introduced to an environment. Spores can enter your home through open doorways, windows, and vents. They can also attach to clothing, shoes, and pets and be carried indoors. If the humidity level is over 60 percent, airborne mold spores can start to multiply.
Attics, crawl spaces, and basements are prone to mold growth due to humidity and ventilation issues. However, any moist area in the home can get moldy. Drywall, ceiling tiles, carpet, furniture, ductwork, roofing, paneling, wallpaper, areas under sinks, and areas around plumbing pipes can harbor mold when the ideal growth conditions are present. Mold matters because it can negatively affect our health if it is not dealt with properly.
That is why it is important to stay on top of potential mold issues and have professionals remediate them so they do not come back. If you smell a musty odor, you are probably smelling mycotoxins. Some mold types are capable of producing mycotoxins. Mycotoxins are defensive chemicals that mold produces to ward off other varieties of mold, and mycotoxins are usually what adversely affects people's health.
If you suspect mold in your home and are experiencing allergic reactions such as a runny nose, itchy throat, or headaches, please call Mold and Air Duct Pros at (440) 467-4104. We pride ourselves on fast, safe, and affordable mold inspection service. We can perform mold tests on site with instant results to give you peace of mind that your home or office is a safe environment.
There are hundreds of different varieties of mold that can be found in nature and also around your home. Mold and Air Duct Pros wants you to understand that mold is found everywhere in nature, and that’s a good thing. Mold aids in the decay and decomposition of organic matter. Can you image the amount of mess we would have if things didn’t decompose? Yes, mold is good… until we have large amounts of it growing in our basement.
So You Think You Have Mold In Your Basement?
Many homeowners report to us that despite no evident water damage or faulty plumbing issues and no recent heavy rains, they still get mold in their basements. The cause of problems like this can possibly attributed to faulty construction, poor water drainage, higher than normal humidity levels, or various other issues.
Nobody wants to be confronted with mold problems in their home. Mold can be quite dangerous to individuals who are sensitive to mold and are then exposed to it. What’s sad is that these sensitive people don’t have to come into direct contact with the mold; they just have to be in the general vicinity where the mold is located.
Reduce the Chances of Mold Growth in Your Basement
You can start your defense against mold developing in your basement by first knowing your numbers. By that we mean that since mold is everywhere, there are always some mold spores floating around your basement. And that’s okay as long as there’s not a moisture problem, because like every other living thing, mold needs moisture (water) to survive and thrive. It’s important to understand humidity levels and to be able to monitor those levels in your basement. By using a hygrometer that you can buy online or in retail stores, you can monitor humidity levels in your home or basement. Using a hygrometer is as easy as using a thermometer; but instead of checking temperature, you are checking humidity. Normal home humidity should be in the 30% to 50% range.
Dehumidification
Our next line of defense should be a dehumidifier. Basements are known to be humid and damp areas. A dehumidifier will remove water from the air in your basement every day. You can choose one that has a bucket to dump when it’s full, or one that will drain automatically into a floor drain or sump pump. You will be amazed how much water you will remove.
If your washer and dryer are located in your basement, make sure to vent the dryer outside. Your dryer is removing moisture from your clothes, don’t add that very humid air to the air in your basement.
Water Drainage
Keep an eye on your outdoor water drainage. Make sure that all downspouts are directed away from your home. Add extenders if it’s necessary to direct water further away. Check on the ground’s grading around your home. You never want ground water pooling up against your foundation.
If what you are dealing with is past the prevention stage, our basement mold removal page walks through how we separate a water intrusion problem from a humidity problem, since the two look alike and are corrected very differently.
If you do discover mold in your basement, consider all of the health risks associated with it. It can be easily spread throughout your home if disturbed without taking the necessary safety precautions. The crazy thing about mold is you never know until it’s too late whether or not you or a family member is sensitive to it.
Trust The Experts
When it comes to your home and your family, you deserve a qualified water and mold restoration company serving Cuyahoga, Lake, Geauga, Summit, Portage, Lorain, and Medina counties. Mold and Air Duct Pros is staffed by certified industry professionals, and we will do everything possible to minimize the disruption to your life and your home. Contact us 24/7 at (440) 467-4104.
