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Mold in Your Home
 Allen Bramhall
You do not want your house to be thought of as mold home. Mold home offers dangers. Mold home is an unsafe environment. Mold in a home is a home with health problems. Mold also can mar or even destroy items in your house.
Mold produces allergens and sometimes even toxic substances, called mycotoxins. These substances can adversely affect the respiratory system, as well as the eyes. Symptoms resemble those of hay fever, sometimes severely so. Molds make you sick.
As mold colonies grow, they can destroy soft or porous material. Wood, paper, fabric and similar material all can be damaged by mold. If you see evidence of mold, you must remove it immediately.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, if the patch of mold covers no more than 10 square feet, you can clean it up yourself. Wash solid surfaces with soap and water. Porous material like carpeting or cardboard boxes may have to be thrown out.
Once you have cleaned the moldy area, you must dry the area and keep it dry. Opening windows and doors, or setting up a fan can help in drying the area. You must then ensure that the area stays dry. Otherwise, the mold will start growing again.
Fix leaky pipes or any windows or doors that let moisture collect. Set up a dehumidifier to keep the indoor environment dry. Mold can make a house unlivable, so treat the menace seriously.
If you have a mold patch larger than 10 square feet, you probably need to hire a professional. Be especially sure that you have no mold in heating or cooling ducts. If you do hire a professional, hire one with experience in cleaning up mold.
Do not underestimate the seriousness of mold in your home. It's a grave and serious problem.
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