Know that sinking feeling when you smell mold in your basement? Yeah, we do too.
Summer brings not only the sun, but the rain as well. The humid weather creates the perfect conditions for mold to grow in your home, which presents a significant health hazard to you and your family. Mold has different effects on different people, but there are some general effects. CDC reports that it can cause nasal stuffiness, throat irritation, coughing or wheezing, eye irritation, and sometimes skin irritation. People with mold allergies may have more severe reactions. Immune-compromised people and people with chronic lung illnesses, such as obstructive lung disease, may get serious infections in their lungs when they are exposed. These people should stay away from areas that are likely to have mold, such as compost piles, cut grass, and wooded areas.
Mold Treatment:
Treating mold is a very dangerous endeavor as the risk of getting one of the negative health effects is very high. You can treat smaller infestations which cover surfaces like bathrooms, decks, and siding are easy to treat. Scrub the area using a 1 part bleach and 8 parts water solution. However, mold usually grows in places that aren’t as easy to find, and the infected materials must be removed instead. When working in areas that have high concentrations of mold, you should first seal the entrances and air ducts with tape and plastic to limit the movement of airborne spores. You should also invest in a pair of coveralls which you can wash later, so your clothes don’t get moldy. Double bag the mold infested materials in garbage bags. You should use N-95 respirators or P-100 respirators, as well as gloves and goggles, so you don’t suffer health complications.
I hope this helps with your summer renovations and cleaning,
Stay safe!
