Mold Inspection: The Dangers of Mold in Homes

You probably already know that you don’t want mold in your home, but do you know why it’s such a bad thing? Mold can pose a number of dangers to your health and the health of anyone living in your home, so it’s very important to schedule a mold inspection service if you suspect you might have mold growing in your home.

At Total House Inspection in Michigan, you can trust our team to provide superior mold inspection services, and help identify possible sources of toxic mold in your home. Don’t let mold growth damage your health or harm the integrity of your home. Contact the Top Rated Local® mold inspection experts at Total House Inspection today.

What Mold Is

Basically, molds are a form of fungus, which can occur both inside and outside of your home. Typically, the spores spread by floating on the air, but they thrive in moist, warm environments. Considering that mold spores can grow on a wide variety of surfaces, including fabric, wood, glass, and plastic, you want to make sure to reduce excess moisture where possible in your home.

Types of Mold

Experts estimate that there are approximately 300,000 or more types of mold, including common indoor molds:

• Alternaria — found in and around showers and leaky sinks
• Aspergillus — found in powdery food items, and drywall
• Cladosporium — found growing on fabrics and wood surfaces
• Penicillium — found growing on items with water damage

Breathing Problems

One of the most common ways that mold impacts your health is by producing allergens, irritants, and mycotoxins, that can irritate the lungs, nose, and throat. As dampness promotes the breakdown of the materials, the volume of mold particles increases, and can not only create breathing problems, but severely impact those with asthma or chronic lung conditions.

Allergies

If you or anyone in your family has a sensitivity or allergy to mold-related particles, then you may observe a number of symptoms that are similar to those associated with seasonal allergies, including:

• Stuffed or runny nose
• Itchy nose
• Itchy throat
• Sneezing
• Watery eyes

Aspergillosis

The mold aspergillus, can cause a very serious health problem called aspergillosis. While most people can breathe the spores of this fungus without getting sick or even having a negative reaction, people with weakened immune systems or existing lung disease can experience a severe reaction. Depending on the type of aspergillosis you contract, you could experience headaches, coughs that produce blood, breathing problems, and more.

Who Is Most at Risk?

You may have a very strong immune system, but if you are sensitive to mold, then inhaling and even touching mold spores could cause an allergic reaction. For those with more serious mold allergies, their body’s reactions could be very severe. People who have asthma could suffer asthma attacks. Additionally, mold can greatly impact:

• Infants
• Elderly
• Individuals with lowered immune functions
• Individuals with chronic lung disease

Where Mold Can Grow

It can be easy to think that mold grows only in damp basements, so if your basement is clean and finished, then you should have nothing to worry about. The problem is that mold can grow on a wide array of surfaces out of sight. From walls and floors to appliances, carpet, and furniture, it’s important to be diligent when checking your home for mold. Since mold tends to grow in warm, damp environments, you’ll want to keep a close eye on bathrooms, the kitchen, the laundry room, the basement, and any crawl spaces in your home.

Top Rated Local® Mold Inspections

Give yourself the peace of mind that comes from having a professional mold inspection service completed in your home. At Total House Inspection in Michigan, we have the knowledge and experience to ensure that you receive a thorough inspection, as well as advice for next steps should we find mold. Contact our team today!