Certain types of mould might also be hazardous to your health. Common mould-related symptoms include headaches, lethargy, rashes, allergic responses, and other respiratory difficulties.
Proper moisture control is essential for preventing undesirable mould growth from wreaking havoc on your house and health. If your property has recently experienced water damage, you must take precautions to prevent mould from forming.
Some moulds are fantastic, such as those used to manufacture various kinds of cheese. On the other hand, mould that grows in your home can create health problems, allergies, and irreparable damage. Water damage mould can grow quickly and become quite harmful if not removed.
Water Leaks in Your Home Can Lead to Mould
Moulds decompose organic debris, such as leaves and fallen trees. The debris contains microscopic spores that increase their numbers. When spores settle on surfaces providing food, organic material, and moisture, mould can grow indoors.
Does Mould Have A Particular Odour?
Despite the musty odour, growing and dormant mould can look very different. Active mould has hair-like filaments in webs in the early stages, which become as the bloom matures. Inactive mould is dry and bushy, and it usually comes off easily. They can also permanently colour materials, even after they have been removed.
Most moulds do not pose a health risk to healthy people. On the other hand, people with asthma or allergies may be susceptible to moulds and experience irritating or allergic reactions and asthma exacerbations. Certain moulds create mycotoxins, which, depending on the level of exposure, might cause health problems. Both active and inactive moulds can be hazardous to one’s health. Mould’s health impacts might be acute from short-term high exposures or chronic from long-term low-level exposures.
That is why you must know how water can enter your home and cause mould to grow. Let’s look at some of the most serious offenders:
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Roof Water Leaks
Small roof leaks may not appear to cause much harm, but water is very destructive. A leaking roof causes more than just structural damage. It also poses significant health and safety hazards.
Water penetration from roof leaks continues in the attic as well. Water will almost certainly seep down from the attic to the foundation if given a chance. It causes considerable harm along the road and gives mould more opportunities to thrive.
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Flooding
If your home or basement has been flooded, even a small amount, you must test it for mould as soon as possible. As previously stated, mould spores can colonise in as little as a day or two. However, mould may only be noticeable for a few weeks. Because flooding produces a humid atmosphere, mould spores can fill the air and spread quickly throughout a property.
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Defective AC units
When your air conditioner runs properly, it functions as a dehumidifier in your home. It implies that it circulates and removes excess indoor moisture from your home. However, if your AC unit’s drainage tube becomes clogged, it can leak water and grow mould inside and outside the unit.
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Wet Laundry
If your garments remain damp for a few days, mould might begin to grow. It is especially likely if you put wet clothes in a cool, dark environment. Mould might spread to other clothing items in the vicinity.
Because it is nearly impossible to remove mould from clothes, you will almost certainly have to discard them. No tangible object is worth putting your house or your health at risk.
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Leaks in the Plumbing
Leaky plumbing can lead to a range of issues, including the growth of mould and mildew. Because pipes are often hidden behind walls or fixtures, leaks often remain unseen, causing moisture buildup behind walls, under flooring, and ceilings.
Most often, mould has already begun to develop when the leak is found. The following are some common symptoms of undetected water damage and mould growth caused by pipe leaks:
– Sounds of dripping or rushing water within the walls
– A general musty odour emanating from the walls or flooring
– Discolouration is seen on walls, ceilings, and baseboards
Mould testing can be performed by a mould inspector using air quality tests and surface sampling to confirm the presence of mould in a structure. These tests will aid in determining the type and quantity of mould, allowing for the most thorough and successful mould remediation possible.
Can Mould Affect Your Health?
Mould comes in thousands of varieties, including those that can cause allergies, infections, cancer, and even death.
Toxic mould is especially deadly for children and adults with weakened immune systems. An immunocompromised individual may develop a lung infection from mould or infections that cause long-term problems and, in extreme circumstances, death.
Children are more likely to get respiratory diseases due to wet air and mould particles. Children who grow up in a mouldy environment develop asthma five times more than those who do not.
When indoor mould overruns a home or inhales significant volumes of airborne spores, even healthy people can experience health problems. Approximately 25% of the population is genetically predisposed to getting mould-related disorders because their bodies cannot combat the poison.
How Can Mould Be Tested?
You may test for mould on your own using a variety of methods. Hardware stores will sell you an at-home mould test. These tests have been known to produce inaccurate results. Unopened test kits were even mouldy when purchased in certain situations.
Furthermore, testing for mould should be performed by a fully certified, experienced mould inspector/hygienist because it is highly technical, if not dangerous. You may need to understand the results if you are still getting familiar with mould. There is also the risk of test results being contaminated if the proper chain of custody is not followed during the testing process.
If your property has been flooded and you suspect it contains mould, professional examination and testing is the right method to find out. Unlike at-home testing, qualified professional mould inspectors can detect where mould is growing, the source of the mould, and the severity of the mould growth.
We can help in this situation.
Reztor Restoration is a Queensland-based mould inspection and testing business. Our mould inspectors are all IICRC certified and focus only on mould testing and inspection rather than eradication. We only offer the most effective mould cleanup services in Queensland.
