What Are Mold Symptoms Like?
Allergic reactions to mold are common and can hit you fast or slow.
Common symptoms include:
- Sneezing
- Bloodshot eyes
- Skin rash
- Runny nose
- Lung, nose, and throat problems
- Even asthma attacks
Mold is everywhere (just like Radon gas) and helps keeps our forests running like clockwork.
But as you already know, mold is unhealthy inside our homes.
That’s because it produces spores that create toxins, allergens, irritants, and allergic reactions in (mainly sensitive) people.
It comes in many colors (from white to black) and can only exist in dark, damp conditions (most molds are black so black-colored mold is not always Stachybotrys).
So if you think your home is making you sick, mold testing should be one of the first steps you take toward getting better.
Allergic reactions to mold are common and can hit you fast or slow.
Common symptoms include:
There are 3 situations when mold testing would be a good idea.
No. You don’t need to test for mold without a reason. If there is mold present, you just need to fix the source and repair the damage.
Plus, mold testing is relatively expensive (about $600 on average).
An experienced home inspector will do enough sniffing around to tell you if they think you have a problem and will discuss the best steps to take if you do.
Your home will never be 100% mold-free. It’s everywhere. The key is to control it by creating conditions where it can’t grow, which means controlling the moisture in your home.
If the home already has mold, you can’t just remove the damaged area or clean the mold. You’ll need to fix the water problem and then fix the damage.
And you have to act fast. Mold is ferocious, especially behind walls, inside ceilings, and under floors. The longer is goes unchecked the more damage it will do. Ceiling tiles, wood, and carpet may have to be thrown away if left alone too long.
If it’s small enough, yes. The general guideline is an area less than 3’x3′.
If the area is larger than 10 sq.ft., caused by a sewage backup, or you have mold in your HVAC system you’ll want to call a professional mold remediation company or air duct cleaning company to use the proper equipment and take the necessary precautions to do it right the first time and keep your family safe.
DO NOT run your HVAC system if you have mold in your home. You run the risk of spreading it everywhere.
If you still want to clean the area yourself:
A good, safe bet is when the moisture source is gone, the damage is repaired, and people no longer complain of symptoms.
If you don’t want to wait that long or take the risk, you can perform a mold test.
It’s all about moisture control.
Most Certified Industrial Hygienists charge a flat fee ranging from $300-$900. The biggest factors in the cost are the size of the home and number of samples.
In Kansas City, expect to invest about $500 for a 2,500 sq.ft. home.
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