One of the main concerns for every household is mould growth—and understandably so! Not only can it spread quickly all across a property, but it also poses a significant health concern for the inhabitants. The truth is, mould can be spreading way before you notice it, which is why it’s crucial to be proactive in purging it from your home.
What Exactly is Mould?
Mould is a form of fungi that sprouts from microscopic spores, which are present everywhere in the environment. Its main trigger is an increased level of humidity; once the humidity surpasses 70 percent, spores start propagating.
Mould is most susceptible to grow in temperatures of more than 65 degrees. Once it settles, it starts reproducing, eventually forming clusters that become visible to the naked eye. When clusters like these start spreading across your surfaces, this is when you start noticing a damp and musty odour in your home.
Indoor mould is a serious health threat to anyone exposed to it. It can multiply quickly, which is why it is important to know what to do when you start seeing mould clusters.
Some Important Facts About Mould
Mould Infestation Can Colonize Between 1 to 14 Days
If mould originates in the basement or crawl space, it can rise and spread throughout the house. This is called the “Stack Effect.” Warm air rises in the home and leaves through the upper levels. When this happens, a vacuum is created on the lower level, which draws air upward from the crawl space. Spores, dust mites, and odours will be concentrated in the main area of the house.
Mould Can Grow Anywhere, at Any Time
Humidity is not the only thing that it needs to survive; almost everything found in the home can provide enough nourishment for mould to keep growing. Materials such as wood, fabric, wallpaper, and paint can cultivate mould in your house all year-round, regardless of how clean everything is. It can also grow on the surfaces of dusty, inorganic materials, such as dusty glass, concrete and metal.
Mould Exposure Can Cause Flu-Like Symptoms and Respiratory Issues
While some people can be immune to the health effects of mould exposure, there is enough evidence to prove that it can cause headaches, dizziness, diarrhea, and fatigue. Perhaps the most common effect of mould is the irritation of the mucous membrane, causing wheezing, runny eyes, and sore throat to those who inhale its spores.
What You Can Do To Stop Mould Infestation
There are three main things that you need to do once you find mould in the house:
- Determine the source of moisture and create a solution;
- Eliminate and clean the mould; and
- For severe infestations, pursue mould testing and removal services.
Dry everything out before cleaning the infested surface. While the fans dry out the surfaces, make sure that you don’t use them while mould still sits visibly on the surfaces. It can cause mould spores to spread, which then makes the situation even worse. If you find that repairing the source of moisture is beyond your abilities, it is best to contact home restoration services to fix the issue.
When cleaning, it’s important to wear protective cleaning gear, such as rubber gloves, a long sleeve shirt, pants, eye goggles, and a filter dust mask. Doing so will help protect you from the symptoms of coming into direct contact with the mould spores.
Once you are done cleaning, remove your clothes and put them in a sealed plastic bag to be washed before you leave the contaminated area. If you don’t do this, you can spread more mould spores throughout your home.
If you find porous mouldy items like plaster, insulation, plasterboard, ceiling tiles, paper products, and some types of wood, it is better to throw them away instead. Remember to bag all items before lugging them around the house to avoid further contamination.
Non-porous materials that you want to save, such as hard plastic, glass, metal, and solid wood, can be cleaned with a HEPA Vacuum with a high-quality HEPA filter.
Conclusion
Immediately clean any visible signs of mould as soon as you see them. Mould can be disguised as a simple speck of dirt, so wipe every spot no matter how small it may seem. Taking immediate action is key to prevent health issues and further damage to your home. Mould infestation can happen quickly, and if it has reached the stage wherein a DIY job cannot hack it, don’t hesitate to ask the assistance of mould testing services.
Are you looking for mould removal services in Edmonton? At Nationwide Restorations, we work around the clock to get your damaged property back to top condition. Get in touch with us and let us work to resolve your mould issues today!