Home Mold Health Hazards

Molds are fungi that can grown on any surface, both inside and outside of the home. With just 4 major life stages, mold can quickly reproduce when all of the appropriate conditions present themselves. Mold typically grows in spaces that are warm, damp and humid. However, molds are very resilient and can survive many harsh or dry conditions that would not normally support mold growth. In most cases, molds are very difficult to spot with the naked eye, but they can be identified by small black patches that slowly increase in size over time amounting to numerous mold health hazards. While many homeowners may be on the lookout for black spots of mold, their colors may vary depending on the type of mold growing in the home.

Potential Mold Health Hazards to Homeowners

Some common indoor molds like penicillium, cladosporium and stachybotrys “toxic black mold” can cause mild to severe health issues for homeowners and their families. For people who are sensitive to molds, it is common to experience symptoms that include:

• Stuffy or runny nose
• Watery, red and scratchy eyes
• Wheezing
• Skin Irritation and rashes

While these common symptoms can be less severe and are usually treatable, more severe reactions can lead to shortness of breath, fever, and chronic lung illnesses. Mold is particularly dangerous for those who have asthma, as it can exacerbate their breathing issues. Additionally, toxic mold exposure has been linked to long-term exposure to different molds with medical issues that include:

• Memory loss
• Insomnia
• Anxiety
• Vertigo
• Confusion
• Loss of appetite

Mold Treatment Options

While exposure to mold can result in many different health issues, with proper testing and preventative maintenance Arizona homeowners can keep their homes and their loved ones out of harms way.

In many cases, homeowners don’t realize they have a mold problem on their hands until they find themselves in the middle of dealing with another disaster like flood damage.

Homeowners Can Benefit from Professional Mold Testing

With professional mold testing, it’s easy to prevent the spread of mold and avoid many common health issues associated with prolonged mold exposure. Air Testing With this testing method the home is scanned for the presence of mold spores in the air. An experienced mold treatment technician will come out to collect samples from your home and test them in their laboratory. Surface Testing This testing method requires sample to be collected from various surfaces in the home through swabbing or tape lifting. Additionally, surface testing can offer more accurate results. Bulk Testing With bulk testing, homeowners can cover all the bases and make sure that any and all mold types that may be growing in the home are properly identified for treatment and removal. Bulk testing requires that samples are collected through the air and surfaces in the home. This process will provide homeowners with the best results possible.

How Often Should Homeowners Test for Mold?

Homeowners should seek professional mold testing services if they experience any of the following:

• A musty odor in the home that doesn’t go away with regular cleaning.
• The home has recently flooded, as mold frequently grows in damp conditions.
• When mold has been spotted growing in one area of the home. Mold can quickly spread to other areas, even if it is not apparent to the naked eye.
• Anyone in the home is experiencing mold related symptoms like chronic sinus infections, chronic sore throats, coughing, headaches, wheezing or unexplained rashes and fatigue.
• If it is suspected that there may be hidden mold growth in the home that cannot be found.

  While mold growth can be very dangerous without proper treatment, Maricopa County residents can rest easy knowing that professional help is available. If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these potential mold hazards or for more information on mold removal services, please visit the experienced team at Zona Restoration online today.