Mold in your home or business can cause significant health problems, damage property, and negatively impact the environment. Understanding why mold is harmful and what you can do about it is essential to your health and your home’s integrity.
Check out the top reasons you should care if your home or business has mold.
Mold can Cause Health Risks
Mold doesn’t always cause health issues, but anyone with underlying conditions and anyone living or working in an environment where mold spores have spread may be at risk.
The health risks mold exposure causes include:
- Respiratory Issues: Mold spores often cause respiratory reactions, such as coughing, wheezing, throat irritation, and nasal congestion, especially in those with a compromised immune system.
- Allergic Reactions: Mold exposure can trigger or worsen allergy symptoms, including sneezing, itchy eyes, and skin rashes.
- Asthma Aggravation: People with asthma may experience worsened symptoms or frequent attacks when exposed to mold.
- Toxic Effects: Certain molds, like black mold, produce mycotoxins, which can lead to neurological symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, and fatigue.
Mold can Cause Structural Damage
Mold can damage your home or business’s structure, causing deterioration and costly repairs.
Structural damage and its consequences to watch out for include:
- Material Deterioration: Mold grows on organic materials such as wood, drywall, and insulation. Excessive growth can cause certain structures to weaken over time.
- Compromised Integrity: If the mold is left too long, it can threaten the integrity of things like walls, ceilings, and floors.
- Costly Repairs: Oftentimes, mold-infested materials must be removed, requiring extensive remediation in the home.
There can be an Impact on Indoor Air Quality
You can’t see the air you breathe, but it can cause serious health concerns if you breathe in mold spores.
The impact of mold on air quality includes:
- Poor Air Quality: Mold releases spores and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), leading to a musty odor and degraded air quality.
- Uncomfortable Environments: Musty smells make spaces unpleasant for household members, employees, or customers.
- Health Hazards: Prolonged exposure to poor indoor air quality can worsen respiratory and systemic health issues.
There can be Economic and Professional Consequences
Mold is one of those words that frighten most people, whether the spores are live or not, which can have the following negative consequences on your property and/or business:
- Decreased Property Value: Mold can frighten potential buyers, making selling a home or building harder.
- Negative Business Image: For businesses, a moldy or musty environment may signal neglect, affecting customer trust and employee morale.
- Legal Liability: Business owners may face lawsuits or complaints if mold exposure harms employees or customers.
Mold in your Home or Business can be a Persistent Problem
Mold spores don’t just go away if you hit them with bleach or a commercial cleaner. It can become a persistent problem in the following situations:
- Regrowth Challenges: Cleaning visible mold often isn’t enough, as oftentimes you only scratch the surface. Also, mold spores can continue growing and spreading if the moisture problems remain.
- Sources of Moisture: Leaks, high humidity, or poor ventilation create environments where mold thrives, making prevention critical.
If this sounds familiar, it’s time to consider professional mold treatment by experts who understand how to keep everyone safe.
Let Pinnelli Mold Pros Help with Mold in Your Home or Business
Mold can be a serious problem if you don’t treat it. The faster you act, the less time the mold has to spread and the less remediation your home needs.
If you suspect mold in your home or business, contact Pinnelli Mold Pros for a mold inspection. We’ll determine if you have mold and what type of remediation, if any, is necessary to fix the problem. We’ll also suggest steps to prevent the problem from returning if you have moisture or ventilation issues.