Attic Mold – Can Lead to Serious Problems
Attic mold is something that you shouldn’t ignore. While the mold growth can take some time, once it starts it must be treated properly to stop it. And finding mold in your attic in Florida can lead to more problems than minor ceiling or roof damage. Mold anywhere in your home is a bad thing. You don’t want it and once you have it, its tough to get rid of. Attics are especially susceptible to mold in Florida due to the fact that many homeowners rarely go into their attic. It’s these long periods with no inspection when mold has its chance to grow. For this reason, you should check your attic every couple months just to make sure there is no mold growth anywhere.
Florida attics are hot and damp, especially in the summer months and this can quickly lead to mold in the attic. Proper ventilation will help combat mold growth and ensure that any leaks are properly fixed so that moisture or water does not have direct access to the attic. Aside from the obvious damage to your home, attic mold poses are far greater threat to your health.
Heat and Moisture – A Recipe for Mold
During Florida’s rainy season, the attic in your home is more at risk of mold development due to increased levels of moisture in the air. Mold can live and hide almost anywhere in your home and spreads best in the places you normally don’t spend time in (the attic).
If found, this unwanted fungus is something you do not want to push aside, as it can become a threat to you and your family’s health. A severe case of mold in your attic should be cleaned right away to prevent the spread of mold spores throughout your home.
The dangers of mold hiding in your attic
Mold spores are microscopic and can enter your home through open windows, doors, and other ventilation systems. They can also stick to objects like clothing, accessories, and family pets. A damp environment with little to no air circulation is the perfect recipe for mold. This fungus can spread easily in areas of your home that are leaky or flooded such as, your roof, attic, ceiling, and floors. Mold can be a severe danger to the air quality of your home due to the strong musty odor that it generates.
Inhaling Mold Can be Very Dangerous
Inhaling mold’s toxic odor on a daily basis has the ability to cause various symptoms of irritation leading to life-threatening fungal infections in your lungs.
Who is at risk of mold exposure?
A buildup of hidden mold inside your home can affect everyone differently. While some individuals develop health conditions after a long term of exposure to mold, others can be tremendously affected by the shortest amount of exposure. Types of people who tend to be more sensitive to mold include the following:
– Individuals who have breathing problems, such as allergies, asthma, and COPD
– Individuals with weak immune systems. For example, people with HIV or people who undergo chemotherapy
– Individuals with other underlying health problems
– Infants, children, and the elderly
Health conditions that arise due to hidden mold in your home
3 Health Issues Caused by Attic Mold in your Home
Below are 3 common health conditions that result from frequent exposure to mold contamination:
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- Allergic Reactions
When exposed to hidden mold in your home, individuals with severe allergies can experience many different symptoms. These reactions may include: difficulty with breathing, experience throat tightening, itchy eyes, wheezing, coughing, sneezing, and runny noses. Inhaling air that is contaminated by mold spores can create such allergic reactions within an exposed individual.
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- Asthma
Homeowners encountered by hidden mold can be threatened with breathing problems due to breathing in mold spores. Such exposure can trigger asthma attacks which involve lung swelling and inflammation. Such symptoms lead to difficulty with breathing and can cause long term breathing problems.
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- Aspergillosis
This is a serious infection in the lungs caused by a common mold type known as Aspergillus. The infection creates a mass of fungus fibers, blood clots, and white blood cells within the lungs. This can cause fevers, chest pains, and difficulty breathing. People with weak immune systems or lung disease may experience severe reactions due to this condition.
If you suspect attic mold or have a musty smell throughout your house, please do not hesitate to give us a call. We will come out to your home and do a free evaluation to determine if mold is present. Sometimes the musty smell is due to mold and mildew growing inside of your homes duct work. We can determine that as well and provide you information on duct cleaning. We can answer any of your questions that you might have and work with you to determine the best course of action for you and your family if mold is present. Contact us today.