Now That the Rains Have Stopped, Do I Still Need to Worry About Mold?

With the heavy rains in late July and early August, you may have experienced flooding and water in your basement.  Even if your basement was cleaned and dried, mold may still be an issue.  Depending on how long the water remained is the basement and how it was cleaned and dried, mold may have taken root.  So, will the current dry weather help you to get rid of the mold problems in your house?   Probably not.  It is not the wetness or dryness outside that controls the mold growth in your house or office.  That inside mold growth is highly dependent upon the moisture levels currently inside your house and also whether it has already taken root in some of the materials in your home. 

Why is mold growing in my home?

Molds are part of the natural environment.  Outdoors, molds play a part in nature by breaking down dead organic matter such as fallen leaves and dead trees, but indoors, mold growth should be avoided.  Molds reproduce by means of tiny spores; the spores are invisible to the naked eye and float through outdoor and indoor air.  Mold may begin growing indoors when mold spores land on surfaces that are wet.  There are many types of mold, and none of them will grow without water or moisture.

A big part of controlling mold in your house is by controlling the moisture.  Get rid of the moisture and you can prevent the mold from growing and flourishing in your home.  That unfortunately is easier said than done.

How do I get rid of mold?

It is impossible to get rid of all mold and mold spores indoors; some mold spores will be found floating through the air and in house dust.  The mold spores will not grow if moisture is not present.  Indoor mold growth can and should be prevented or controlled by controlling moisture indoors.  If there is mold growth in your home, you must clean up the mold and fix the water problem.  If you clean up the mold, but don't fix the water problem, then, most likely, the mold problem will come back.

For more information on Chicago mold removal and Chicago Mold Management, visit us at our website located at http://www.ChicagolandMoldDoctors.com  

We are located and provide mold services, water damage services, and fire restoration services in and around the Chicagoland area. 

Source: Environmental Protection Agency, 2011

Mold and Your Health

Short Description of Mold

Mold, (also called fungus), is a family of organisms that are found in many places. Unlike plants, mold need food and water sources in order to thrive. This food source is often in the form of a carbohydrate like material, such as wood or cellulose.  Mold grows where it can find sustenance and reproduce through the formation of spores (like seeds for plants). Spores frequently spread in the air, and like pollen for many plants, can cause allergic disease.

Can Mold Make Humans Sick?

Mold has well-known associations with human disease. People can develop fungal infections of various types, especially those with poorly functioning immune systems. Mold is also known to produce toxins, which have been blamed for causing various diseases.  Molds can also cause severe immune reactions as a result of colonizing (living in, but not causing an actual infection) the lungs and the sinuses. Molds are also well known to cause various allergic diseases, such as allergic rhinitis and asthma.

Which Molds are Known to Cause Allergies?

There are thousands of types of mold, however, only a few of these are currently available for allergy testing. Many Mold species that thrive outside and can thrive in your house can cause bad allergic reactions and make people who live in that environment quite sick.

When Does Mold Allergy Occur?

In colder climates, molds can be found in the outdoor air starting in the late winter, and peaking in the late summer to early fall months (July to October).

While indoor molds can occur year round and are dependent on moisture levels in the home, indoor mold levels are higher when outdoor mold levels are higher. Therefore, a common source of indoor mold is from the outside environment, although can also be from indoor mold contamination.

What Measures Can Be Used to Decrease Indoor Mold Levels?

·         Prevent outdoor molds from entering the home by keeping doors and windows closed and using air conditioning equipped with allergen-grade air filters

·         Control indoor moisture with the use of dehumidifiers

·         Fix water leaks in bathrooms, kitchens and basements

·         Ensure adequate ventilation of moist areas

·         Utilize HEPA-filters on vacuums or as a stand-alone air filter

·         Limit indoor houseplants, and ensure those that are present are free of mold on leaves and in potting soil

For more information about chicago mold, managing mold, mold damage, mold removal, and mold restoration in the Chicago and Chicagoland area, go to our web site located at: http://www.chicagolandmolddoctors.com

Sources:
 Bush RK, Portnoy JM. The Role And Abatement of Fungal Allergens In Allergic Disease. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2001; 107:S430-40.
 Eggleston PA, Bush RK. Environmental Allergen Avoidance: An Overview. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2001; 107:S403-5.