Water and flooding can cause tremendous damage to your home or business, but as bad as it may be initially, if left untreated the worst may be yet to come. After a 48 hour period, the chances for long term problems are very good, and chief among those problems is the growth of mold, mildew, and other toxins.

Mold is a fungus that grows easily in any warm, moist environment. The mold itself isn’t the problem as much as the spores it produces as a way of reproducing itself. These tiny organisms are airborne and may if inhaled in large enough concentrations, may have an adverse effect on one’s health.

Mold occurs naturally in outdoor environments, breaking down dead animal or plant matter. Any time mold spores find a location that is conducive to growth, another mold infestation is started. Once established, mold spreads rapidly and can prove almost impossible to remediate.

Mold can enter the body in several ways. Most common is through inhalation, where the spores are sucked into the lungs. This can be the source cause for a number of mold related respiratory issues.

Mold can also get into your system through contact with the skin. This may cause skin irritation or in some cases, even ulcers.

Spoiled food may also carry mold which can get into your system through ingestion. Always check bread for mold and keep an eye on expiration dates for the food you buy.

Once you have been in contact with mold, any number of symptoms may arise, from the slight to the severe. You may experience allergy type symptoms, such as hay fever, sneezing, watery eyes, runny nose, etc. Others, especially those with depressed immune systems, may experience more severe problems such as infections, neurological disorders, and in some cases, lung disease.

To a lesser extent, toxic effects may be present if mold has been ingested.

As mentioned, mold is a natural part of our environment, and we encounter and inhale mold spores almost every day with no ill effects. The problem comes when mold is encountered in large concentrations, whereby the state of your health may be affected.

Some homeowners mistakenly believe that all they have to do is remove the mold and they will be rid of the problem. This is not the case. The environment must be properly treated to make sure the mold does not return. This includes cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitizing the problem area, but most importantly, moisture and humidity must be eliminated and ventilation improved. Dehumidifiers will help remove the residual moisture from the surfaces and surrounding air, and improving the ventilation will help ensure that the problem doesn’t grow back.

Fortunately, there is an answer for those dealing with mold issues….Water Damage Local.com. Available 24/7, we are available to handle all of your water damage and mold remediation problems. In addition to mold removal and remediation, Water Damage Local.com offers a complete range of services including water extraction and drying, carpet cleaning, and structural repair and restoration.

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