Mold in
the Home
The first
thing to understand about mold is that there is a little
mold everywhere - indoors and outdoors. It's in the air
and can be found on plants, foods, dry leaves, and other
organic materials.
It's very
common to find molds in homes and buildings. After all,
molds grow naturally indoors. And mold spores enter the
home through doorways, windows, and heating and air
conditioning systems. Spores also enter the home on
animals, clothing, shoes, bags and people.
When
mold spores drop where there is excessive moisture in
your home, they will grow. Common problem sites include
humidifiers, leaky roofs and pipes, overflowing sinks,
bath tubs and plant pots, steam from cooking, wet
clothes drying indoors, dryers exhausting indoors, or
where there has been flooding.
Many of
the building materials for homes provide suitable
nutrients for mold, helping it to grow. Such materials
include paper and paper products, cardboard, ceiling
tiles, wood and wood products, dust, paints, wallpaper,
insulation materials, drywall, carpet, fabric, and
upholstery.
The
importance of mold in the real estate market today
Much
has been made of indoor mold in advertising and the
media lately, so it’s a common concern for homeowners
and buyers. It's common to find mold even in new homes.
Whether you’re selling your current home or looking into
buying one, it’s vital to get a mold inspection.
Presence of active mold can drastically affect the
resale value of any home.
For
homeowners, a mold inspection will either put your mind
at rest or make you aware of any problems that could
otherwise cause delays or deal breakers once you’ve
entered negotiations with a buyer. A professional mold
inspection will give you a signed report from an expert
before you put the home up for sale. Imagine being able
to show a “clean bill of health” to potential buyers
that express concerns – they’ll be impressed by your
thoroughness and commitment to your home.
For
buyers, getting a mold inspection will ensure that
you’re not surprised by costly clean up and the
potential health hazards of mold. If any mold is found
to be present and active in the home, the mold
inspection will allow you to ask the seller to do the
clean up prior to buying the home.
Exposure to mold
Everyone is exposed to some amount of mold on a daily
basis, most without any apparent reaction. Generally
mold spores can cause problems when they are present in
large numbers and a person inhales large quantities of
them. This occurs primarily when there is active mold
growth.
For
some people, a small exposure to mold spores can trigger
an asthma attack or lead to other health problems. For
others, symptoms may only occur when exposure levels are
much higher.
The
health effects of mold can vary. The production of
allergens or irritants can cause mild allergic reactions
and asthma attacks. The production of potentially toxic
mycotoxins can cause more severe reactions, and in rare
cases death.
Should
I be concerned about mold in my home?
Yes. If
indoor mold is extensive, those in your home can be
exposed to very high and persistent airborne mold
spores. It is possible to become sensitized to these
mold spores and develop allergies or other health
concerns, even if one is not normally sensitive to mold.
Left
unchecked, mold growth can cause structural damage to
your home as well as permanent damage to furnishings and
carpet.
According to the Centers for Disease Control*, "It is
not necessary, however, to determine what type of mold
you may have. All molds should be treated the same with
respect to potential health risks and removal."
Can my
home be tested for mold?
Yes. We
offer thorough mold inspections that involve visual
examinations of the most likely areas to harbor mold. We
also take air samples indoors and out to determine
whether the number of spores inside your home is
significantly higher. If the indoor level is higher, it
could mean that mold is growing inside your home.
How do
I remove mold from my home?
Call
Anco today. Our staff works with the client
during all steps of the remediation process. ANCO
identifies the nutrient sources of mold contamination,
takes steps to stop the problem at its source, and
offers advice to the client on preventing or reducing
the likelihood of mold growth in the future.
*Sources: California Department of Health Services
Indoor Air Quality Info Sheet, "Mold in My Home: What Do
I Do?" revised July 2001; Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, "Questions and Answers on Stachybotrys
chartarum and other molds" last reviewed November 30,
2002.
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