Do You Have A Mold Problem At Home?

Mold problems are more common than you think - and there are ways to spot them before they become harmful to your health and expensive to fix. 

Contact a certified plumber to inspect your house and confirm you don't have hidden or undetected plumbing leaks. A certified and insured plumber will be able to accurately locate hidden plumbing leaks, not only the obvious ones. Moisture and leak detection is key to making sure your home is not at risk or affected by mold. According to the US EPA, the best way to control mold is to control moisture. Mold can grow in 24-48 hours if building materials are not dried out quickly and properly. 

Though not all molds are toxic, you need to make sure your home is mold-free. Many times mold will develop, attack your walls, closets, mattress, and even clothes. At this point, you will need to not only fix the mold problem, but replace your mattress and clothing - making it an expensive and problematic experience you will not want to go through. Prevention is key.

Per the Texas Medical Association, "Infections health issues related to mold exposure can occur in both normal and immuno-compromised individuals." There are potential health issues related to mold exposure. In theory, there are five ways in which molds could produce or aggravate human illness or otherwise contribute to symptoms:

• Type I immune reactions, which can lead to allergic rhinitis (nasal discharge, sneezing, conjunctivitis) or asthma (bronchospasm, wheezing, mucous secretion and plugging).
• Irritation to mucous membranes through mold production of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in a manner analogous to non-mold irritants, e.g., tobacco smoke, gas/kerosene stove emissions, ozone.
• Type III immune reaction, examples including hypersensitivity pneumonitis, which includes "farmer's lung" (lung tissue inflammation occurring from exposure of an inhaled antigen), and allergic aspergillosis (a rare lung tissue inflammation involving both airways and tissues in the lungs). 
• Toxic reaction from mold products (mycotoxins).
• Toxic reaction from microbial byproducts (endotoxins). 

For more information about health related issues caused by mold, please visit the Texas Medical Association, here. 

Per the Texas Mold Removal company, there are a few ways to control indoor mold growth, such as:

• Keeping humidity levels in the home low with proper air conditioning and ventilation;
• Keeping damp areas such as bathrooms, showers, washrooms, and basements clean and dry; 
• Promptly fixing any leaks that may occur and regularly checking the roof, plumbing, and windows for possible leaks;
• Keeping high moisture areas such as laundry rooms and cooking areas well ventilated;
• Thoroughly dealing with flood damage by cleaning and drying all surfaces and fixing any damage done.
• Replacing carpets, upholstery, and curtains that have become damp.
• Regularly removing visible mold from surfaces such as countertops, walls, and wood with commercial products or normal soap and water and household bleach.

If you think you may have an undetected leak or need someone to evaluate your house for moisture, please contact us at 214-328-7371. Our certified and insured plumbing technicians are ready to assist you 24/7.

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