Indoor mold in homes in Alexandria, VA requires moisture to grow, and it can be on visible surfaces, or it can hide behind drywall, under your carpet, and in your attic. Mold in homes may be unsightly and smelling damaging the materials that it lives on and impairing your homes structural integrity. In addition, mold also is a concern for health risks for you and your family members. Mold allergies have similar symptoms to other allergies affecting the upper respiratory tract including—
- Runny nose
- Itchy nose
- Itchy throat
- Sneezing
- Watery eyes
Family members who have asthma have an increased risk of having their asthma symptoms triggered by mold in homes in Alexandria, VA. Some mold species can cause serious lung infections and scarring. Inhaling the mold spores of a mold species called aspergillus can develop into allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis which impacts breathing.
Mold can be found outdoors as well as indoors. It can enter your Alexandria, VA home through windows, vents, open doorways, and heating and air conditioning systems. Mold that is in the air outside can attach itself to clothing, shoes, bags and even pets and can then be carried indoors.
Mold in homes can grow anywhere there is a lot of moisture such as around windows, leaks in roofs or pipes or if you have experienced any flooding in your Alexandria, VA home. It can grow on ceiling tiles, wood products, cardboard, and even paper products as well as in dust, wallpaper, insulation, drywall, carpet, upholstery and fabric.
Homeowners in Alexandria, VA can control mold growth by taking these added measures—
- Ventilate your shower, cooking, and laundry areas. Use exhaust fans when taking a shower and when cooking. Vent your clothes dryer to the outside.
- If you experience any flooding, clean and dry areas thoroughly within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold in home from growing.
- Fix any leaky roofs, pipes or windows promptly.
A humidifier or air conditioner can help keep your humidity levels low in your Alexandria, VA home. Keep the humidity levels as low as possible, preferably no higher than 50%.
If you have noticed mold in homes in Alexandria, VA, call the experts at Envirotex. They have been in business since 2000 and are the ones to call for any environmental issues you have in your home.