In 2016, a fire and water restoration expert said that mold destroys more wood each year than termites and fires combined. That’s a staggering stat but it helps to paint a picture of how prevalent mold is and how much damage it can cause.
It’s really common to have household mold, but that doesn’t mean it’s not serious. Having mold in your home and yard can be really dangerous. Keep reading to find out more about the dangers of mold and how to treat mold.
Why mold is dangerous
If you have mold growing in your home or in your yard, it’s a problem. Not just because it’s unsightly and it can have a bad smell, but because it can cause you health problems and damage your home. When you’re around mold, you breathe it in, and it can have a big impact on your short-term and long-term health.
For example, being exposed to mold can cause asthma, fevers, shortness of breath, headaches, sneezing, muscle and joint pain, sinus infections, lung damage, rashes, allergies, and a weakened immune system, just to name a few.
Seniors, infants, and pets are particularly at risk of the effects of mold. In fact, it has been said that young children who are exposed to mold at home are 3 times more likely to develop asthma.
As well as the health hazards associated with mold, there are also dangers to your home. For example, it can rot and destroy many types of household materials, including wooden structures, wallpaper, and fabrics. This can cause some pretty costly damage to your home aesthetically but, if left, can lead to more serious issues such as collapsing ceilings, walls, and floorboards.
How to treat mold
Household mold, whether it’s indoors or outdoors, should be treated as quickly as possible. The best course of action is to hire a professional to remove it, but there are some home remedies, too.
You can buy products that are specially formulated for cleaning mold and are easy to use at home. This guide from iProperty Management will take you through some of the best mold removers on the market. The best course of action for mold though, is prevention.
Mold comes from moisture and can start to develop within 1 or 2 days of a moist environment. You can purchase a variety of dehumidifiers to prevent moisture lingering in the home, and some are inexpensive and inconspicuous. You can also prevent mold at home by making sure your house is properly ventilated.
If you have mold growing in your yard, such as on your fences, deck, or your home’s exterior, pressure washing and soft washing is a fast and effective way of cleaning it. This time of cleaning removes the mold and regular cleaning prevents it from coming back.
You can get your own pressure washer or hire a professional to do it for you. However, hiring a professional is the most effective way of removing mold quickly from your exteriors.
Advantage Pro Services is proud to offer home maintenance services to Houstonians. We pressure wash and soft wash homes in Houston, as well as providing gutter cleaning and window cleaning services. To find out more about the services we offer in Houston, Texas, click here. For more advice on home maintenance, visit our blog.
