Mold thrives in houses where leaks, floods, poor ventilation, humidity, and other sources of moisture have been left unattended. The key to preventing its growth is, according to Mr. Provitola, to deal with any water issue within 24 to 48 hours from occurrence.
Causes and signs of condensation
Air can hold moisture - the warmer the air, the most moisture it can hold. If moist air is cooled by contact with cold surfaces, such as walls, windows or mirrors, the moisture condenses into water droplets (known as condensation). Mould often occurs because of condensation.
If mold is growing in your home, you need to clean up the mold and fix the moisture problem. Mold can be removed from hard surfaces with household products, soap and water, or a bleach solution of no more than 1 cup of household laundry bleach in 1 gallon of water.
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.
Look for Moisture Problems and Leakages
Moisture is the main cause of mold growth, so checking for moisture issues and leakages is one of the most effective ways in finding the source of hidden mold. Search for signs of moisture damage like warped walls, identify the cause, and fix it as soon as possible.
Some people are sensitive to molds. For these people, exposure to molds can lead to symptoms such as stuffy nose, wheezing, and red or itchy eyes, or skin. Some people, such as those with allergies to molds or with asthma, may have more intense reactions.
It is also very important that there is adequate ventilation in the room. Open a window or door so the mold spores can escape, instead of staying locked in your home.
Bleach kills virtually every species of indoor mold that it comes into contact with including mold spores which leaves a sanitized surface making it resistant to future mold growth.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment; the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.” Even if you clean the mold, it will come back if the room is humid and poorly ventilated or if there is ...
Yes, if you have damp and mould in your home you're more likely to have respiratory problems, respiratory infections, allergies or asthma. Damp and mould can also affect the immune system.
So, dehumidifiers don't kill mould, but they can help to prevent it from growing inside your home by reducing humidity. However, the best way to deal with it is to get rid of its source.
Do air purifiers help with mold? Air purifiers help capture mold spores from the air, preventing them from reproducing and spreading throughout your home. While air purifiers won't help treat active mold that's already present on surfaces, they are a great way to control the spread of airborne mold particles.
Clean, throw away, or seal moldy items. Wash and dry, or throw away, moldy bedding, towels, clothing, and draperies. If you have moldy papers you cannot throw away, dry and seal them in a bag until you can dry and clean them.
Airtight windows and buildings require more active ventilation. your kitchen and bathroom has an extractor fan. This will help prevent moisture reaching other rooms, especially bedrooms, which are often colder and more likely to get condensation. Do not block air-brick vents or ventilators.
Mold hates light. Other than moisture there's nothing mold loves more than dark places. An easy prevention against mold growth is opening your blinds and shades. If it's warm enough out, open the windows.
Use a bleach solution of no more than 1 cup (8 ounces) household laundry bleach per 1 gallon of water to kill mold on surfaces.
Homeowners can handle cleaning about 10 square feet (roughly 3 feet by 3 feet) of black mold on their own. If the patch is small enough, a combination of bleach, water, scrubbing, and ventilation should do the trick. Before treating mold on your own, prioritize ventilation and protective gear.
To sum up the blog post, we recommend that you do not sleep with mould in your room. It can be dangerous to your health, and is not worth the risk!
Water Sources, Humidity, and Condensation
The bedroom can harbor hidden moisture from leaks in the roof, windows, pipes, or areas of flooding. These moisture sources are all commonly associated with mold growth. Mold can also form if water is spilled and not dried within 48 hours.
You will get less mould if you keep your home warm, ventilate properly and minimise the amount of moisture you release into the air.
They include coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. In chronic pulmonary aspergillosis, it usually takes a while for patients to develop symptoms.
Pain (especially abdominal pain, but can include muscle pain similar to fibromyalgia) Unexplained weight gain or weight loss. Numbness and tingling in extremities or other areas of the body. Metallic taste in the mouth.
It's often described as musty and earthy, and may even smell like rotting vegetables or plants. You might notice a musty smell, but not be able to see any mold growing. In this case, you should look for areas that might be exposed to water.