Water damage can lead to mold exposure and the resultant side effects such as lung issues, increased asthma symptoms, and other respiratory problems. Read on for a list of the five dangers of mold exposure and information on how to avoid them.
1. Mold Can Grow in the Home
2. Mold Spores Can Lead to Respiratory Issues
3. There are Several Types of Mold Which Have Different Negative Effects
4. Mold Can Cause Serious Health Risks
5. Mold can be Hazardous to Your Pets' Health
Mold Can Grow in the Home
Mold spores are microscopic and float through the air after being released from their growing source. These mold spores are everywhere, so it's impossible to avoid them all together, but you can reduce your exposure by keeping your home's humidity below 60%.
Mold Spores Can Lead to Respiratory Issues
Mold spores can trigger allergic reactions and may cause respiratory problems such as coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. These symptoms typically occur during several weeks' time after exposure to mold spores. You should seek medical attention if you experience any of these symptoms due to exposure to mold.
There are Several Types of Mold Which Have Different Negative Effects
Stachybotrys chartarum is one type of mold that has been known to have serious negative health effects. It's commonly found in water damage and can lead to black mold. Exposure to this mold can cause chronic respiratory illness and is also associated with pulmonary hemorrhaging, bleeding in the brain, seizures, and coma.
4. Mold Can Cause Serious Health Risks
Mold exposure can cause severe allergies, breathing problems, headaches and nausea. Exposure to black mold can lead to lung issues such as coryza (runny nose), cough, sneezing, tiredness, and chest pain.
Mold can be Hazardous to Your Pets' Health
Pets who come in contact with mold spores can develop health issues including allergies and infections in the respiratory tract.
Different ways to avoid water damage:
1. Repair the water damage by using potable water in the cleanup process.
2. Before you hire a company, confirm that they are registered with the National Association of Restoration Professionals (NARHP). This will give you a real sense of their reputation and qualifications to handle water damage.
3. Hire a company that offers services in more than one location. This way, if there are any delays in service or overcharges, you won't have to deal with it in just one place as well.
4. Look at the credentials of the company you are hiring. Although there are many companies that will tell you that they are all service professionals, the truth is that some of them may not be properly certified and qualified to handle water damage and mold removal.
5. Do your research first before hiring a cleanup company. Ensure that they're working with certified water damage technicians, have insurance coverage for your property, and are going to be able to follow through with their promises on time.
6. Get a written contract from the company you're hiring stating that they are going to pay for damages out of their own pocket and not yours if anything comes up.
7. Be wary of any claims made by a water damage company that they will guarantee that your belongings will be restored 100%.
When there is water damage at Tustin, it is important to know what steps to take in order to protect yourself and your family from mold growth. Here are some tips for how you can avoid or remove mold growth following the cleanup process:
1. Clean the area thoroughly. Mold spores can penetrate food, shoes, carpet and other materials that have been contaminated by water. These spores can remain dormant in these items for a long time before they begin to grow and become visible as mold damage. It is important to remove any undisturbed materials from the area and dispose of them in order to prevent mold growth
2. Seal all holes around pipes or plumbing systems.
3. Make sure that there is a system in place to control the humidity levels of your home or business after water damage.
4. Do not use fans as a way to dry out the area after it has been flooded. This may actually create more moisture in the air and lead to mold growth.
5. Use dehumidifiers if you are unable to control the moisture levels of your home or business on your own with ventilation fans or air conditioning units in order to lower the humidity levels.
6. Do not use fans or air conditioning units to circulate air through the area after water damage. This will only increase humidity or moisture levels in the area. According to an article from the Society of Environmental Engineers, this may actually lead to mold growth if there are leaks in your home's pipes or plumbing systems.
7. Clean all affected areas with a mixture of vinegar and water and then let them dry out before you move anything back into your home or office space.
Conclusion:
To conclude, mold can grow in the home, and yes it can be hazardous to your health and the health of your pets. If you are able to recognize when mold is growing in your space, and you can deal with water damage effectively by taking appropriate action, you should be able to avoid having any negative health outcomes from mold exposure.
Author Bio:- Aimee Grace
Aimee is a marketing manager at EZ Plumbing & Restoration. She is very passionate in writing about discrete plumbing services and leakage detection as well as repair solutions. Her vision is to educate people about the consequences of water and slab leaks at home or office and what they should do to repair them to avoid further water damage as well as property damage.
Innovations have paved a way for smart devices to lead a convenient life. Plumbing industry is no different but only few people know about various tools used to fix the leakages. Stay tuned with the recent articles to know all about how to find water damage, slab leak, clogging, and ways to repair them, installation of new HVAC appliances in San Diego.