Don’t Bring Household Mold with You into the New Year

It’s a new year! So, does that mean a new opportunity for household mold? Homeowners mistakenly think mold is just a summer problem. However, it is just as active in the winter months. Mold is a fungus that eats away at your floorboards and walls. It also worsens allergies and can make your family sick. This year, we recommend taking proactive steps to prevent mold growth. However, if you already have it, you should brush up on how mold removal companies can help. 

The Most Common Types of Household Mold

There are over 100 species of mold. However, the most common you’ll find in households are: 

• Chaetomium – A type of mold that has a musty smell; it usually develops inside drywall. 
• Alternaria – Commonly develops in dark, moist areas like the inside of your shower. 
• Stachybotrys Chartarum – One of the most common types of mold. It is toxic, and often referred to as “black mold.” Black mold causes depression, insomnia, sinus infections, and other ailments. Typically found in air conditioning units and air ducts. 
• Aureobasidium – A pink and black mold that develops on wooden furniture, around windows, and on walls. 
• Cladosporium – Usually found near older fabrics in closets and on carpets; it grows in both warm and cool climates. 
• Fusarium – This type of mold also likes carpets, but often grows in cold, wet environments. 
• Penicillium – Once inside a home, it tends to spread quickly. It worsens allergies and respiratory conditions. It can usually be found inside insulation, carpets, and furniture that has suffered water damage.  
• Serpula Lacrymans – While commonly found outside, this yellow mold also grows on wooden surfaces and causes rot. 
• Aspergillus – Worsens allergies and can cause lung inflammation.
• Trichoderma – Grows in damp environments; often causes respiratory issues and allergic reactions. 
• Ulocladium – Mainly grows after severe water damage such as that caused by floods. Causes allergic reactions and infections. 

How to Check for Household Mold

Living with mold can be problematic for both your home and your health. Here are a few tips to check for household mold: 

1. After experiencing water damage, check for black or green spots growing near the affected area. 
2. Be wary of any foul odors in certain rooms of your house such as your attic, basement, or garage. 
3. Keep track of any onset of symptoms when you enter a particular room of the house. If you sneeze every time you go into your house, but not outside, it could be a sign of mold growth. 
4. Perform your own mold test. Douse a cotton swab in one part water and one part bleach and put it on the area where you suspect mold. If it turns lighter, it’s probably mold. If so, you should call a professional mold removal company as soon as possible. 

How to Prevent Mold Growth Inside Your Home

Even though mold may still develop, there are a few proactive steps you can take to prevent mold growth in the first place:

• If you suffer water damage, clean up the affected area as soon as possible. The longer water sits, the more likely it is for mold to develop. In fact, mold can develop in as little as 24 hours after water exposure. 
• Avoid leaving wet clothes or towels on the floor, as this creates a hospitable environment for mold growth. Likewise, avoid hanging damp items in your closet. 
• Purchase a dehumidifier. Mold grows if there is too much moisture in the air. By investing in a dehumidifier, you can minimize this risk. Plus, it can reduce foul odors, dust, and other allergens. 
• Invest in household cleaners that are specifically designed to prevent mold. 
• If the weather allows, keep your windows open. This constant cross-breeze will help mitigate mold growth. 
• Make sure your home is properly insulated and safeguarded from rain. This includes making sure rain can’t seep into your attic or pool around your door frames or windows. 
• Add plants to your home. English Ivy plants, for example, can remove mold spores in as little as 12 hours. Plus, fresh plants bring life to your home, which can make you happier, less anxious, and more focused. 

Does Your Home Have Mold? Don’t Panic. Let the Team at PNW Restoration Help!

Treating mold doesn’t have to be overwhelming. When you hire the mold removal professionals from PNW Restoration, you can have peace of mind that mold is being treated at the source. Often, mold isn’t always visible to the naked eye. Our team is trained to find mold in less-than-obvious areas of your home, as well as those that may be hard to reach. 

When you’re ready to schedule an appointment for mold removal, call PNW Restoration at 971-247-3470. We’re here to help.