BLACK MOLD
Mold is a substance that grows inside and outside of the home when it is not well maintained and sanitized. Black mold usually develops in humid and damp areas of the home such as in the bathroom, by the kitchen sink and in the basement. As a homeowner, black mold can cause a number of problems which can be detrimental to the value of the home and your overall health.
BAD ODOR
One of the negative effects of black mold is odors. When black mold develops in your home, it will usually develop a very bad odor that is very noticeable. This odor won’t just be an unpleasant smell but also cause potential health problems as well.
DESTROYS THE HOME
When you get a buildup of mold in your home, one of the negative effects is destruction of the home. Mold buildup will usually begin to decay structures of the home such as the walls and fixtures such as the sinks and bathtubs. Along with decaying these areas of the home, mold can also cause damage to the interior structures of the home by pipes and materials that make up the home’s foundation.
UNSIGHTLY APPEARANCE
Having black mold in your home will often result in an unsightly appearance. Since mold is a dark substance that you can see, it will make the walls and other fixtures look very unattractive and messy. It can also make parts of the home look disgusting as well.
LOWERS THE HOME’S VALUE
With a buildup of mold, the overall value of the home will also likely go down. The combination of an unsightly substance on the walls and fixtures along with a bad odor will make the home much less appealing. As the mold causes a deterioration of the home, it will also result in making the home less valuable due to the structural damage.
CAUSES HEALTH PROBLEMS
Along with resulting in structural damage and causing bad odors, black mold can also result in health problems. There are a number of problems that you can go through when mold is widespread in your home. Black mold can cause symptoms such as sneezing, itchy skin, irritation of the skin, watery eyes and headaches.
• Sneezing
When you have mold in your home, sneezing is often a common symptom that you may suffer. There are a number of particles that will get into the air and get into your nose. As a result, you will begin to sneeze more often than usual.
• Itchy Skin
Having black mold in your home will also cause itchy skin. Exposure to areas where the mold is present can result in your skin getting very itchy. When you make contact with an area with mold on it will begin to irritate the skin and make you itch more often that you usually would.
• Skin Irritation
Another symptom of mold exposure is skin irritation. When you make contact with mold, the particles on it will begin to cause discomfort. You will likely begin to get itches on the areas that were exposed to the mold. The skin irritation will also result in rashes and redness as well.
• Watery and itchy eyes
Black mold in your home can also irritate the eyes as well as the skin. Another common symptom of black mold is watery and itchy eyes. When your eyes are exposed to areas of the mold, the particles will circulate in the air, get into your eyes and then cause them to get very itchy and begin to water on a regular basis.
• Headaches
Whenever you are exposed to black mold, you may also experience headaches. The odors of the mold can get into your nostrils and cause irritation in your head. When this happens, your head will begin to ache more than it usually does.
• Nausea
Similar to how black mold causes headaches, it may also result in frequent nausea. As you breathe in the particles from mold in the air, it may travel to your stomach and result in you getting nauseas. Along with nausea, you can also start vomiting as well.
KEEPING YOUR HOME MOLD FREE
Since black mold can cause a number of problems for you, it is in your best interest to do whatever you can do to keep mold out of your home. One of the ways to prevent mold from getting into your home is to check your home frequently for mold and then get someone to eliminate it immediately. You will also want to make sure that areas of your home such as the basement, bathrooms and kitchen’s remain dry at all times. Click here for 9 Tips to prevent mold problems.
As well as keeping your home dry and checking it regularly, you will also want to clean your home on a regular basis in order to keep it sanitary. A sanitized home will prevent the development of mold from developing. Regular cleaning is among the best ways to make sure that you avoid the hazards of black mold in your home.