Some harmful elements somehow find their way to your home and ruin your mental peace. Fungal growth like mold is one of them. They need humidity to thrive. Another unwanted guest can be asbestos or some minerals in the building materials used in your house construction. Both these are health hazards and require prompt action. Mold can be visible to the eyes – look for those ugly green, brown, and black patches on the walls. However, you must get professionals involved for the other as they have all the proper methods and tools to detect its presence.
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Everything about mold
Any decaying material, such as wallpaper, drywall, and carpeting, can attract mold growth. As per experts, there are about 100,000 species of this fungus. That’s terrifying! As you already know, mold likes moisture and dampness. While their indoor growth is harmful, molds help the ecosystem outside uniquely. Initially, they remain invisible to the bare eyes, but the spots created by microscopic spores that help fungal growth reveal them. Common leakage areas like pipes, windows, and roofs can host them. However, their favorite surfaces include wood and paper, ceiling tiles, certain fabrics like upholstery and carpets, cardboard, and more.
Please make your home as leakproof as possible to prevent mold risks. For instance, bathrooms can be most vulnerable to this. Opt for leak-free products, such as Kraus fixture for the bathroom sink or others. Use backsplash in kitchen and bathroom sink areas. Clean tiles and keep all corners adequately ventilated. These organisms can manifest as gray, brown, and black spots. These fuzzy patches increase quickly as the fungus reproduces. You can get a hint about mold through its musty odor too. If you wish to confirm their presence, call a mold inspector from your locality for examination. You may pay around USD $250-350 for a test to learn about their spread.
Typical mold damage in the home
Rotted flooring signals mold issues, affecting hardwood floors, vinyl tiles, floorboards, and anything. The buildup happens on failing to dry the flooring wet from washing, flooding, or leaky pipes. Cellulose materials like wood can be highly vulnerable. Check the layer underneath the glass, ceramic, or vinyl tiles. These attract issues due to broken seals. Mold makes wooden boards warp and impacts the flooring’s stability. Water damage to carpeting can cause mold growth in 24 to 48 hours without proper ventilation and cleanliness. Decay in the basement and crawlspace, sagging roofs, deteriorating walls, and others are also signs of mold infestation.
Correcting flooring can cost around USD $200-550, carpet USD $800 to USD $2,600, walls USD $1,000 to USD $2,000, roof USD $ 360 to USD $ 1,550, etc.
Health risks caused by mold
After seeing the average mold remediation expenses in different corners, you may wonder if it’s necessary to act on it now. But it can aggravate your breathing and asthma problems. People with low immunity can be at risk. When exposed to mycotoxins caused by mold, you can experience nausea, dizziness, fatigue, eye irritation, and skin rashes. Take care of molds caused by severe water damage.
Everything about asbestos
The commonality between mold and asbestos is their natural occurrence. Yet, asbestos doesn’t grow in your home organically. The building materials can have certain minerals, like actinolite, chrysotile, tremolite, amosite, etc. Earlier, asbestos was a common compound, but regulations have restricted its entry because of its health hazards. The products using this mineral should mention its presence. Due to strictness, asbestos can mainly be present in older houses in areas like curtains, textured paint, roof shingles, insulation, and caulking. Homes built until 1980 will likely have this material in some amount. However, take precautions when renovating your old home. Remember, you are safe unless you disturb those materials.
Health risks caused by asbestos and methods to identify it!
The carcinogenic compound makes a person vulnerable to mesothelioma or lung cancer. Due to this, lung membranes and chest cavities become compromised. Any materials with asbestos can release microscopic fibers into the air, which, when inhaled, can enter the lungs, leading to issues like inflammation. Some people also suffer from lung scarring or asbestosis. As mentioned, asbestos cannot be visible to the eyes. Professionals can detect it with special microscopes, and their service charges can be around USD $225 to USD $791. If you disturb the areas containing this mineral, you must treat the materials as hazardous and take professional help for a sample test.
Things to recognize
Mold spores may not be directly visible, but you can notice their presence through green, gray, and black slimy and fuzzy patches. A musty odor is also a strong hint. Asbestos requires professional intervention for detection .As hinted, if the construction happened before 1980, you can easily assume the presence of asbestos in the house and talk to professionals for an inspection. A hygienist will test your home by taking samples. They will also help you with a remediation plan. Removal services can charge anywhere from USD $1,164 to USD $3,055. A contractor can recommend sealing the mineral off than complete removal. In that case, you will spend about 15-25% less. The cost of mold remediation can be USD $1,125 and USD $3,345.
As an owner of a home built in 1980, you may feel concerned about resale if you have any plans. It is a significant relief to learn that you can sell your house, but you may have to disclose the asbestos issue based on location. If you sealed or removed asbestos, you must let people know.
You can make your home a haven by caring for its health. Water leaks, damaged appliances, ventilation, and fixture replacements need to be on your priority list. At the same time, you must check your home for mold and asbestos problems. These elements can never make you feel safe in a place you built with much love and affection. The only way to make it inhabitable is to cure or treat them. Both mold and asbestos issues should get professionals involved. After all, ordinary people don’t have the proper means to manage them. There is a greater risk of exposure due to mishandling.
