Albeit a natural substance, mold is not something you want to encounter in your home. It can result in property damage and present health issues to people who are exposed to the fungus. Mold is something that can easily grow indoors, though, so it is a common household problem. You may not even know if mold has grown in your residence because it sometimes accumulates in concealed areas.
For mold to grow, its spores need a moisture source and a food source. Often, mold will use cellulose as its food source, which it can find in building materials like wood and drywall. So your home may have mold growing in the bedroom walls and in your bathroom. Your bed could even be affected by mold, as well as other furniture and clothing.
Knowing this information, you may feel concerned about staying in your home and sleeping in a house that has mold ― and for good reason.
Continue reading to learn more about mold, mold exposure, and what can happen if you stay in a home that has mold.
What Happens When Mold Grows in a Home?
As aforementioned, mold spores need two key things to grow and form colonies: a moisture source and a food source. This is why it is so common for mold to grow in the aftermath of water damage.
When mold spores encounter both the moisture and food it needs, the fungus begins to form colonies and can spread to different areas of your home. The spores are present in the air and can travel through the HVAC system. Whatever surfaces mold is growing on are being devoured, damaging the material in the process. As such, mold growth will eventually cause structural damage to affected materials.
Therefore, mold removal needs to be conducted promptly. Otherwise, your home risks further damage.
How Can Mold Exposure Be Harmful for Your Health?
When mold is in your home, its presence can cause individuals to suffer from negative health effects. When you and your family breathe in the mold spores, it can result in health issues, including coughing, nasal congestion, eye irritation, and headaches, among other issues. Mold symptoms can be more severe for people with asthma, people who have mold allergies, or who those with weakened immune systems.
With prolonged mold exposure, the health effects get worse. This is another reason why immediate mold removal is crucial.
Is It Safe to Sleep in an Area with Mold?
Because of the risks that come with mold exposure, it can be unsafe to sleep in a house with mold, particularly in the affected areas because you put yourself at risk of mold allergies. This becomes especially concerning if you are sensitive to the mold.
When mold grows indoors, it can often be found in the bathroom. This is due to the high moisture levels. However, mold can also be found in walls throughout your home, including your bedroom. But your room can also have mold growing in the mattress you sleep on.
If you have mattress mold, you can suffer from fatigue, snoring, and sleep apnea. If you experience long-term mold exposure, and continue sleeping in a room with mold, then you may suffer from the following:
- Anxiety
- Mood swings
- Hair loss
- Muscle cramps
- Weight gain
How Can I Prevent Mold Growth at Home?
The key to mold prevention is moisture control. If you can limit the excess water and moisture in your home, the lesser chance there is for mold growth to start. That being said, wipe up and clean any excess moisture as soon as possible.
Another way to control moisture is to control your home’s humidity levels. Use a dehumidifier to maintain a humidity level no greater than 50 percent. When it is hot and humid, turn on your air conditioning to help keep humidity levels low.
When bathing or showering, make use of the exhaust fan. Have it run during your bath or shower, allowing it to continue running for at least 20 minutes after you are done. This helps eliminate moisture more quickly, limiting the potential for mold growth.
What Should I Do If My Home Has Mold?
When you discover mold growing in your home, it is imperative you address the situation right away. The longer it goes unaddressed, the more mold that will continue to grow, causing further property damage, as well as effects to your health. As such, do not hesitate to get professional mold removal help.
Who Do I Call For a Mold Inspection?
Getting just anyone for the job won’t do–Look for certification or licensing when making your pick. You’ll want to make sure that the company you work with uses well-trusted mold testing methods. There are several different ways to go about mold testing, and not all are created equal.
Using an at-home mold kit is one of the least useful methods, and anyone can show you the results of a mold test like these and try to convince you that you have a mold problem. The reality is that mold spores are present in most homes, so simply showing you that there are mold spores doesn’t mean anything. The inspector must also be informed about the acceptable thresholds of mold spores. This is one of the many reasons why working with a trusted company is so crucial when it comes to mold testing.
At ServiceMaster Disaster Associates, Inc., we offer mold remediation services to residential properties in Boston, MA, and the neighboring areas. Our professional technicians will help you by addressing the moisture source, then locating and eliminating all cases of mold in your home, using the proper equipment and products to do so. With help from our mold remediation services, your home will once again become a place where you can live, breathe, and sleep comfortably.
Is It Safe to Sleep in a House with Mold? was last modified: October 4th, 2022 by ServiceMaster Disaster Associates, Inc.
