Mold Is A Bigger Deal Than You Think
Mold and mold spores are everywhere. Outside, it’s not much a problem. In fact, mold and fungi are primarily responsible for breaking down dead organic matter in the environment. Small quantities of mold spores are tracked into the house on a normal basis without serious health effects.
In large quantities, however, mold and the spores they release can be dangerous to your health. In the best case scenarios, mold spores can cause allergic reactions with the following symptoms:
- Nasal and sinus congestion
- Itchy and watery eyes
- Chest congestion
- Throat irritation
- Headache
- Sneezing
Sometimes, mold spores can cause respiratory problems, including the development of asthma. In the worst cases, molds can produce mycotoxins that can cause dangerous respiratory problems and neurological problems. Mycotoxins in large enough quantities can even be fatal.
Mold can feed on any dead plant matter, including wood, cardboard, and drywall paper. Moist, dark, and cool: a wet basement is the ideal growing condition for mold. If you have a wet basement, there’s a good chance that mold has already begun to set in somewhere in the basement.
The first step in solving your mold problem is to remove the water source. A foundation repair company has many tools available to remove water from your basement, depending on the source of the problem. Solutions can be as simple as installing a dehumidifier or patching cracks, or as complicated as excavating the exterior perimeter of your house and installing an underground drainage system.
Often times, solving the water problem will prevent the reoccurrence of mold. Then the remainder of the mold remediation process involves killing the mold and removing contaminated materials from the house.
It is important that all the mold is removed from the house because the toxins and spores that are dangerous to humans remain even in dead mold. Mold must be removed not just from visible surface, but from HVAC systems and porous materials.
AA Action Waterproofing is a local foundation repair company that offers mold remediation and waterproofing services, and every waterproofing project comes with a lifetime warranty.