It is no secret that nobody wants mold in their home. You know that issues it can cause both the structure of your home and the health of your family are extensive, but what exactly are they? And most importantly, does mold have the ability to cause serious structural damage? This blog post will explore some of the issues mold can cause, whether or not structural damage is one of these issues, and how you can finally get your mold problem under control.
As a company made up of experts in mold remediation, we have seen it all, from a small patch of mold caused by a leaky faucet to a basement full of it after a flood. Most people encounter mold on a regular basis, whether walking through a community building or spending time outdoors at the park, yet they do not have an issue with the mold because it is in such small doses. If you have mold in your home, however, then its effects are often much worse.
The Problems with Mold
Mold is caused by excess moisture or water, which can come from any water source inside your home, or even a hole or other entryway that allows water from outside to enter in. Once mold begins to grow, it will likely continue to do so until the situation is fixed by a professional. Many people experience allergic reactions to mold in their homes, and it has also been linked to respiratory and other health issues. Even people who are otherwise very healthy may begin to experience headaches, sneezing, and shortness of breath if there is mold in their home. In addition to harming the health of the people that breathe the air, mold can also hurt the material of the home.
So, Does Mold Cause Structural Damage?
To put it simply, mold itself very rarely causes structural damage to the buildings that contain it. The same conditions that cause mold, however, cause the growth of fungi such as the Serpula lacrymans that do cause more serious problems. The major issue that can come from these fungi in damp conditions is dry rot, which is a type of structural damage.
If you do find dry rot in your home, it is very important that you take control of the situation as soon as possible. Environmental Protective Solutions is ready to help you with this. When dry rot occurs, the fungi eat away at the structure of the wood, whether that be a cabinet, the floor, or the ceiling, which leads to the wood decaying and falling apart. This can result in very unsafe living conditions, as the wood affected by this condition could suddenly collapse or cave in. The effects of dry rot continue to get worse over time, and if left untreated, it may cause damage to your home that is irreversible. Needless to say, having dry rot is not an ideal situation and you should do everything you can to not get to this point.
Though serious structural damage is rare from a basic case of mold, it is still important to go ahead and get the mold, as well as its cause, removed before the situation worsens. Even if you think that the wood around the mold is still stable, if the damp conditions do not change, then the fungi that lead to dry rot could quickly grow and cause far more serious issues. These issues include structural damage, which will only continue to get worse if left untreated.
How To Prevent Structural Damage
The first step of the mold remediation process is figuring out what the source of the mold is. In addition to removing the mold and repairing any damage that may have occured, our team will make sure that the water or moisture source is closed off so that molds and fungi will be unable to return in the future. You can trust us to get your mold problem under control and bring your home back to the comfortable and healthy place you and your family love. The investment you make to do this now will be well worth it in the long run when you have avoided permanent structural damage and have a home that looks just like new.
Mold remediation is a serious project, so it is important that you use a company made of seasoned professionals who you can trust. Call us today and we will give you a free price estimate for your situation. Structural damage may not actively be occurring in your home if you are still in the early stages of a mold problem, but it is always best to eliminate the issue early on and prevent the mold from progressing into something worse in the future. Environmental Protective Solutions has helped countless happy clients, and we are ready to save your home and your family’s health whenever you are.