15 Ways Your House Mold Is Making You Sick

It can result in property damage and present health issues to people who are exposed to the fungus. Mold is something that can easily grow indoors, though, so it is a common household problem. You may not even know if mold has grown in your residence because it sometimes accumulates in concealed areas. To keep indoor surfaces as dry as possible, try to maintain the home's relative humidity between percent in the winter and below 60 percent the rest of the year. You can purchase devices to measure relative humidity at some home supply stores. Sometimes, mold growth is hidden and difficult to locate. In such cases, a combination of air and bulk samples may help determine the extent of contamination and where cleaning is needed.

Most of the flooring had been removed so there is not much mold left in the floors. The previous owner believes there is a pipe leak in the foundation that is causing the mold growth. We live in the hot Arizona desert so mold is not very common here. I have received pricing to remediate the mold anywhere from $10k from a contractor or to $30k from a restoration company. The key to mold growth is moisture so part of assessing mold problems is looking for existing or potential moisture problems. Companies that provide water damage inspection services may help look for moisture and some may be familiar with mold problems as well.

Mold In Your Home: What Causes It, And Is It A Health Risk?

Landlords can be liable for failing to provide a habitable residence, and toxic mold growth certainly falls under this definition. Because landlords are the owners of rental properties where people reside, they are therefore responsible for complying with state and local health standards. Using bleach or other chemicals to kill indoor mold growth is not needed in most cases. The goal should be to remove mold growth by cleaning or removing moldy materials. Dead mold can still pose health risks if you are exposed.

In this article, we look at various signs and symptoms that tell if your house has mold. Mold is a common problem among homeowners who live in a damp and moist environment. It can grow on any type of surface, exposing you to serious health problems.

Identify And Fix The Moisture Problem

Using bleach or other disinfectants on surfaces after mold removal may be needed where people are thought to be susceptible to fungal infections . Should you decide to use bleach or another chemical, please read and carefully follow the label directions and hazard statements . Do not mix bleach with ammonia cleaners or acids, because a dangerous chlorine gas may be formed. For example, the black mold often found between bathroom tiles is not Stachybotrys. Stachybotrys can be identified only by specially trained professionals through a microscopic exam or by cultures. The Florida Department of Health does not recommend that people sample mold growth in their home.

Don’t put things off while you’re trying to negotiate with the seller. Mold growth spreads very quickly, but you can take care of small outbreaks withDIY mold cleanup. If affected areas cover more than 3 square feet or include porous materials like drywall, bring in a mold remediation contractor. If, for example, your upstairs neighbor's toilet or shower overflows into one room of your apartment, your ceiling and walls would be affected.

Living With Mold

However, mold testing is rarely useful for trying to answer questions about health concerns. Some insurance companies and legal services may suggest sampling as a form of documentation of microbial contamination. These situations should be addressed on a case-by-case basis. Tenants should promptly notify their landlord when they find a moisture problem or indoor mold growth. Common moisture problems such as pipe leaks, roof leaks, sewage back-ups and overflowing toilets/sinks/bathtubs can become mold problems if they are not address quickly. Biocides are substances that can destroy living organisms. The use of a chemical or biocide that kills organisms such as mold is not recommended as a routine practice during mold cleanup.

People with a mold allergy as well as asthma have a higher chance of having an asthma attack when there is mold in the environment. A person with a sensitivity or allergy to any mold-related particles may react. Also, dampness encourages materials to break down, increasing the volume of particles, or dust, in the air. They can be white, black, yellow, blue, or green and often look like discoloration or stain to a surface. Nobody knows how many kinds of mold there are, but experts estimate that there may be 300,000 or more different types.

Water Leakage

There are a number of commercial products available to help remove mold. The Environmental Protection Agency advise people to aim for a humidity level of below 60%. The WHO also note that mold and the microbial agents it produces may increase the risk of bronchial and fungal infections. Mold can also trigger the production of microbes and bacteria. Exposure to these bacteria may trigger an inflammatory response in some people, according to the World Health Organization . A higher volume of dust can increase the risk of dust mites, which can also trigger an allergic reaction in some people.

Molds produce allergens , irritants and, in some cases, potentially toxic substances . Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Allergic responses include hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash . Molds can also cause asthma attacks in people with asthma who are allergic to mold. In addition, mold exposure can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat and lungs of both mold-allergic and non-allergic people. Symptoms other than the allergic and irritant types are not commonly reported as a result of inhaling mold.

What Can I Do To Have Management At A Workplace Address A Mold Issue?

Some are more likely than others to appear in the home. Molds can grow on a variety of different surfaces, including fabric, paper, wood, glass, and plastic. As they grow, they may digest the material they are growing on. There are many different types, and they can occur both indoors and outdoors.

• It can take time to work things out with a seller after you’ve closed on the house.
• Don't forget to remove all water from the house such as water in the toilet bowl, or water in the bottom of the dishwasher.
• If the property will be unoccupied for any length of time, draining the pipes and turning off the water in the winter so pipes don't freeze and burst is highly recommended.
• It is also a good idea to make sure someone periodically checks on your property in case there are any issues, so they can be addressed early on.
• Any presence of moisture can create the perfect environment for mold growth.

There are molds that can grow on wood, paper, carpet, and foods. When excessive moisture or water accumulates indoors, mold growth will often occur, particularly if the moisture problem remains undiscovered or un-addressed. There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment; the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture. Tiny particles of molds are found everywhere in indoor and outdoor air. In nature, molds help break down dead materials, and can be found growing on soil, foods, plants and other items. Indoors, mold growth can be found where humidity levels are high, like basements and showers. Molds produce microscopic cells called "spores" that are spread easily through the air.

Questions About The Oregon Health Plan?

Wet cellulose materials, including paper and paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, wood, and wood products, are particularly conducive for the growth of some molds. Other materials such as dust, paints, wallpaper, insulation materials, drywall, carpet, fabric, and upholstery, commonly support mold growth.

Mold needs to eat to survive, and it's perfectly happy eating your home if you allow it. Despite what you might think, new homes are more likely to have serious mold problems than old homes. Modern construction materials, such as drywall, absorb more moisture than older products such as plaster. The way buildings are built today, they also dry more slowly when water gets into places where it shouldn’t be.

Inspect and clean your HVAC units drains regularly to ensure that they are working properly and consider running a dehumidifier in rooms where moisture tends to collect. Pipes and ductwork can experience excessive moisture, especially in homes with average humidity levels of 60 percent or higher. To prevent mold growth on plumbing and ductwork, reduce indoor humiditylevels to between 30 and 50 percent by weatherizing your home, fixing leaks, and running a dehumidifier. You can also consider installing an ultraviolet lighting system that will destroy mold spores as air passes through the ducts. While working in the containment, our certified technicians will wear Tyvek® suits (made of white tear-resistant paper that provides a dry particulate barrier) and air filtering respirators.

It is impossible to get rid of all mold and mold spores indoors. Some mold spores will be found floating through the air and in house dust.

There was chaetomium detected, as well but at lower levels, 3k and 600 spores per meter cubed. I’ve reported and shared the lab test and report with my landlord and requested that they left me out of my lease, penalty free. I’m awaiting their response but am wondering if I can file a lawsuit if they refuse. If you have been experiencing water leakages in your walls, roof or other plumbing in your home, you are more likely to encounter a mold problem.