Mold is a type of fungi that reproduces through airborne spores and thrives anywhere where there is moisture. Due to its hardiness and ability to grow on nearly any surface, mold can be found in almost all parts of the world.
And yes, you can probably find some mold in your home as well. Chances are, it grows in or around your bathtub, on your washing machine or sponge, or on your basement walls. Although mold isn’t harmful in small amounts, an infestation can severely compromise your indoor air quality and cause you to get sick.
If you suspect your house or apartment may be suffering from a mold infestation, it’s highly advised that you book a San Diego mold inspection immediately. Failing to clean up the mold properly may cause you and your loved ones to develop mold-related health problems. Read on to learn more.
Can you get sick from mold in your house?
The more mold there is in your house, the more spores it releases into the air, and the more likely you are to breathe in these spores in large amounts. This can result in all sorts of nasty symptoms, including blurred vision, chronic cough, irritated eyes, sinus and nasal congestion, and more.
Here are the top 3 ways mold can endanger your health:
1. Your coffee maker could be contaminated
According to recent studies, your coffeemaker may be the 5th dirtiest thing in your home. Apparently, more than 50% of all coffeemakers in American homes have mold, bacteria, or yeast growing inside their reservoir. This can literally make your coffee mildly poisonous.
2. Black mold destroys your indoor air quality
Black mold tends to grow in areas of your house that are especially damp, humid, and warm. It often appears on drywall, wood, insulation, and wet paper. In addition to causing wheezing and coughing in otherwise healthy individuals, it can also cause children to develop asthma later in life.
3. It may be eating through your carpets
With enough moisture, area rugs can become the perfect breeding ground for mold. Carpet mold not only produces an endless supply of allergens, irritans, and possibly even toxins, it can also irreparably damage your floor coverings and even the floor underneath them.
What are signs of mold in your house?
Luckily for all of us, it’s often possible to detect a mold infestation before it can seriously affect our health and comfort.
Here are some common signs:
- Your asthma gets worse for no apparent reason
- Dark grout between your bathroom tiles (especially in the shower)
- You have constant sneezing fits and a perpetually runny nose
- Strange smells coming out of your HVAC system
- Your seasonal allergies don’t seem to go away
- There’s a musty smell in some areas of your home
- Peeling or cracking walls
- You’re constantly feeling tired
- Your toilet or one of your sinks recently flooded
- You’re feeling itchier than usual
- There are colored or dark spots on your walls and ceilings
Where can I schedule an in-depth San Diego mold inspection?
It doesn’t matter if you live in Shelter Island or at the very heart of San Diego: any home can get moldy. Even if you haven’t encountered any obvious signs of a mold infestation, it’s highly advised that you have any piece of real estate you’re thinking of purchasing or selling inspected for mold just to make sure.
As the premium provider of mold inspection services in San Diego, Inspectors Company boasts the skill, the experience, and the state-of-the-art equipment necessary to render truly first-rate property inspection services. Reach out to us today.
