We breathe in mould spores every day with minimal impact on our health. So, why is it when we get mould damage in our homes that it becomes a cause for concern?

Mould can start as something small and insignificant in your home caused by moisture.

Before long, though, it can spread and end up taking over.

Keep reading to learn what causes mould damage, where it grows, and what you can do about it.

Mould and its Health Effects

Mould is a fungus that thrives on moisture. That’s why if you’re going to find it anywhere in your home, it’s somewhere that frequently sees dampness, like a bathroom, kitchen or basement.

It’s worth noting that not all moulds are harmful.

It can break down organic materials in your garden and is even a main ingredient in cheeses like blue, brie, and gorgonzola.

In saying that, if you find mould in your home, it’s best to solve the problem as soon as possible. Otherwise, it can end up taking over and causing a raft of health problems.

Exposure to mould can cause allergic reactions, respiratory issues, skin rashes, runny noses, and red eyes.

The more mould damage your home has, the more serious those symptoms can be.

Where in Your Home Does Mould Grow?

If you suspect mould damage, but you’re unsure, it pays to look in the most prominent parts of your home: the damp parts. Kitchens, laundries, basements, attics, bathrooms, crawlspaces, and anywhere with moisture and a lack of heating.

You can also find mould damage on walls, furniture, flooring, carpet, and even places with dust particles for mould spores to grab onto. Essentially, no part of your home is safe from mould if you provide it with what it needs to grow.

You’ve Discovered Mould Damage, Now What?

There are few things as frustrating as discovering mould damage in your home.

As if everyday life wasn’t hectic enough, you’ve now got to find time to manage this problem.

Fortunately, depending on the severity of the mould damage, you may be able to tackle the problem with a few minor lifestyle changes.

Remove Mould Spores

An easy way to remove mould spores the right way is to call the professionals who can ensure proper and safe removal.

Another option is to put on a face mask, arm yourself and use an old knife or spatula to scrape away mould colonies.

There are negative side effects to doing it yourself like, extra costs after realizing the problem is bigger than you originally thought, and also safety and health issues.

Use Air Conditioners and Dehumidifiers

If parts of your home suffering from mould damage are damp, invest in dehumidifiers and air conditioners to reduce those moisture levels.

Reduce Indoor Humidity

You can reduce indoor humidity in many ways, such as with air conditioners and fans, drying your clothing outside, keeping windows open, and taking shorter and colder showers.

If your kitchen gets particularly humid while cooking, don’t forget to run the kitchen exhaust fan.

Clean Dirty Surfaces

If you don’t pay much attention to the cleanliness of those rooms in your home that are at risk of moisture and mould damage, then it’s time to start.

Clean any dirty surfaces to reduce the risk of mould spores having something to cling onto and spread from.

Insulate Cold Parts of Your Home

If some walls, windows, and floors are colder and more susceptible to moisture than others, consider insulation.

It can warm up a space and give mould spores their marching orders.

Fix Leaks

Some mould damage can be caused by leaks you never knew existed until the mould arrived. By fixing the leak, you may reduce or eliminate mould spore growth in the future.

Increase Air Circulation

Get into the habit of opening windows and doors when the weather allows. In rooms with no windows, use fans.

Keep Wet Areas Dry

After a bath or shower, dry off the bathroom. Crack open a window, run a fan, and provide the most unwelcoming environment for mould.

Get Professional Assistance

If you’re not sure where the mould is coming from, or how it’s growing in the first place, bring in the mould damage experts. 911 Water Damage Experts are experts at location determination and remediation of mould affected materials

We can identify the cause and location of mould spores so that you can tackle them with more accuracy.

Severe Mould Damage

Whether you’ve left your property vacant for a long time, or you’ve allowed a mould problem to escalate, it might be time to bring in the experts.

Severe mould damage can require more than cleaning and cracking open a window.

911 Water Damage experts Mould damage experts can locate the source of the mould, offer remediation services, and provide long-term solutions to avoid the re-emergence of mould in the future.

If you’re wondering what exactly a mould damage expert does, you may be surprised at just how intensive their services can be.

They repair or remove the sources of mould as the first step.

By doing so, they can stop growth in its tracks.

They then start cleaning mould off affected surfaces, followed by disinfecting them to make sure the mould doesn’t return.

Some mould damage professionals may also carry out a visibility test to make sure they have got absolutely all mould spores.

Some may return to your property at a later date to make sure no new mould colonies have taken up residence.

Also some can provide air quality testing to ensure safe clean and healthy environment.

What If You Don’t Fix Mould Damage?

Knowing that you might have to make some significant lifestyle changes and put in a lot of elbow grease, you may decide to put off fixing mould damage.

However, it’s paramount that you act quickly. Any delays in removing mould damage can result in not only more damage to your property, but to your family’s health, as well.

There are plenty of studies that prove just how severe mould exposure can be, especially to those already suffering from compromised immunity, allergies, or asthma. Mouldy homes can put you at risk of inflammatory and toxic responses, including allergic reactions.

In extreme cases, mould can also produce mycotoxins, which can be incredibly harmful to both humans and pets.

There’s no time to waste when mould takes up residence in your home. Bring in the experts to get to the bottom of the problem.

911 Water Damage Experts has been helping homeowners for over 20 years. Protecting you and keeping your home healthy is a priority to us.