Most homeowners dread the possibility of mold growth. However, when a house is left unmaintained, moisture can get trapped in certain places, which can be a breeding ground for molds to grow.
As a homeowner, mold growth is something that you should prevent at all costs. Aside from the fact that molds are considered dirty and undesirable, they can pose serious threats to your family’s health.
In addition, molds can also destroy the physical aspects of your home. However, the dangerous thing is that the effects of damage molds can cause aren’t always obvious at first.
Sometimes, homeowners might think that molds are just a small, unsightly inconvenience that don’t really need immediate attention. The truth is, molds can destroy your property in several ways than you can imagine.
Being in a humid environment, it’s highly possible for moisture to get trapped in some parts of your house. One way to prevent mold growth is to ensure that your property undergoes regular inspections and routine maintenance checks. You should also ensure that your HVAC systems are maintained and cleaned regularly.
However, even with regular maintenance, sometimes, molds can grow in some unexpected areas of your home. In case you suspect that there is presence of mold in your property, it’s best to work with a professional to assess the situation.
Do not try to remove mold on your own, as molds can cause severe health issues. It’s essential to get rid of any mold presence as soon as possible before they can cause more serious problems to your property.
Here are five ways molds can destroy your home:
1. Molds Can Cause Structural Damage
A house that has water leakage can cause water damage. This is bad enough to treat on its own. When you experience water damage, you could try to dry out your house on your own, but without the help of a mold professional, you might not see the extent of damage this has caused.
Any water damage may have caused mold growth. With the presence of mold, your property’s structure may be compromised. Keep in mind that there are certain types of molds that can cause dry rotting of woods, which may cause severe structural damage in your house.
While wood is one of the most common places where molds can grow, once mold thrive on your property, they can easily spread to other areas. Molds can grow to the foundation of the house, as well as the walls and other fixtures and furnishings like floors and carpets.
Remember that molds thrive in damp areas, so they can easily eat away certain corners that may eventually cause your property to fall apart.
2. Molds Can Cause Major Health Problems
Aside from causing physical damage to your house, models can also cause severe health issues, which can be extremely frightening especially for those who have allergies and weakened immune systems. While different people may react differently to the presence of molds, you can expect to see the common side effects of mold growth to your health, such as:
- Skin irritation and rashes
- Difficulty breathing
- Cough and sore throat
- Itchy and watery eyes
- Fatigue and headaches
On top of that, molds are also classified as an indoor air pollutant, similar to cigarette smoke and asbestos. The presence of mold can generally affect the air quality in your home, and it can cause major respiratory problems that can turn really serious when left untreated.
3. Molds Can Destroy the Cosmetic Aspects of Your House
Molds don’t only destroy the physical structure of your house—they can also make your house look ghastly and unattractive. The presence of mold can destroy the appearance of your property because some types of molds leave stains behind that can be an eyesore.
You can see the unsightly effects of molds in the form of stains. They usually thrive on ceilings, walls, drapes, and roofing.
If you live in the property, this is something that you don’t want to see every day. If you rent the property to a tenant, the tenant will more likely report you for not providing a habitable dwelling place. If you prepare the property for listing, it will most likely not attract any tenant or buyer because molds make the property generally uninhabitable.
4. Molds Can Damage the Appliances, Furniture, and Fixtures
Molds do not only destroy the parts of your home, but they can quickly spread to other areas, including your appliances and furniture. If you use your appliances to prepare food, the presence of mold can ruin your food. Molds can also grow in washing machines, which can make your clothes stink, or worse, destroy the fabric.
What’s more, since you regularly open and close these appliances when you use them, you open spores every time. This creates more risk of molds spreading throughout your property. When left untreated, molds will eventually destroy your appliances.
Moreover, they can also cause damage to your furniture, especially those that are made of wood. Molds can also destroy your plumbing fixtures because they can eat away at seals and hoses. When this happens, it can cause leaks, which will worsen the mold problem.
5. Molds Can Damage Your Personal Belongings
When the mold problem is not fixed as soon as possible, it can spread throughout your personal belongings. Molds can destroy even those items that are made of synthetic materials. Your clothes, books, jewelry, and other mementos are at risk. Also, since molds spread through the air, you could easily transport spores to other areas of your home.
What to Do if You Suspect Mold Issues
As mentioned, it’s important to conduct regular maintenance checks to identify possible mold growth in your house as early as possible, before they can cause any severe damage. If you suspect a mold problem and notice signs of mold growth, it’s crucial to act quickly to minimize the damage it can cause.
Make sure to call a mold expert as soon as possible to help you get rid of mold. Mold professionals have the right tools and knowledge to remove mold from your house and prevent further damage. Get in touch with our team at Income Realty Home Watch to find out what steps to take next!
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