When you think about home safety, what things come to mind? Changing batteries in your smoke detector? Having an escape ladder for your second-story bedroom? What about making sure you have functioning radon detectors? When most people think of home safety, getting a mold inspection is rarely top of mind. However, when it gets out of hand, mold can be a very serious problem for the structure of your house and the safety of your family.
When you think of a home with a mold problem, maybe you associate it with one that is dirty and neglected. The fact is, mold is everywhere and it can still become a problem no matter how much you clean. At Cumberland Inspection Service, we want to help you understand why getting a mold inspection is important even if you don’t think you have an issue. Read our blog and then give us a call to schedule your mold inspection today.
What It Is and Where It Comes From
Molds are a type of fungus that is naturally found in the environment. It thrives in warm places with a lot of moisture and in small amounts, it’s usually quite harmless. In fact, there are even some instances where certain types of mold are actually desired and encouraged to grow (can you say cheese?).
When it comes to your home, mold is never a desirable thing. It often shows up in dark, damp basements, in areas with poor ventilation, and in places where water has been able to leak in. there are many different kinds of molds, and while some are more hazardous than others, it’s always a good idea to have it checked out and removed.
What Problems Does It Cause?
Molds can cause great discomfort and even be life-threatening for people that are sensitive to them. At a minimum, they can cause allergic reactions that involve sneezing, rashes, and itchy eyes. For people with more serious allergies, mold can cause asthma attacks. The most susceptible groups tend to be infants and children, the elderly, and people with compromised immune systems.
Mold isn’t just bad for your health, it’s bad for your house too. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, molds digest whatever they are growing on, and therefore can cause a lot of damage. This means your house could sustain wood rot and drywall damage if mold gets out of hand.
Who Should Get Mold Testing Done?
If you’re looking for a new home, it’s good practice to get a mold inspection done before making your big investment. If mold is detected, that doesn’t mean you can’t still purchase the home, but you’ll want to know the severity of the problem and document who is responsible for fixing it.
People with severe or chronic allergy issues should also consider having their home tested for mold. It’s possible that people with just minor allergies can become more sensitive over time, after prolonged exposure. Symptoms can range from sniffles and watery eyes to more serious ones such as headaches and difficulty breathing.
Call Cumberland Inspection Service
Whether you’re getting ready to buy a new home in Dawson County or you just want to check the safety of your current one, Cumberland Inspection Service can help. With over 10 years of experience, we offer mold inspection and indoor air testing services for both residential and commercial buildings. Don’t wait for a potential problem to get worse. Call to schedule your appointment today!