Regardless of the season, moisture in your home can cause mold to grow.
Molds are living organisms that thrive in humid and wet environments. Outdoors, they are a helpful part of nature, but they can cause health issues if given the opportunity to grow inside.
Moisture in our homes is inevitable — condensation during a shower, water splashing in the kitchen and bathroom, the occasional leaky pipe, and so on. So, we must remain vigilant about drying these areas thoroughly and noticing any signs of a leak, like the characteristic musty smell of mold.
What are the symptoms of mold exposure?
There are hundreds of thousands of types of mold, and each one can affect each person differently. Some people have allergies to specific mold spores, while others don’t exhibit any symptoms at all. Still other people may experience a delay in symptoms, making them more difficult to diagnose, and easier for the mold to go undetected.
Mold has a nasty habit of making our airways more sensitive, which can also exacerbate existing conditions, like asthma and allergies to pollen or pet dander. Those with immunodeficiencies are also at a higher risk.
Common symptoms of mold exposure include:
- Nasal congestion
- Itchy sinuses
- Runny nose
- Itchy and/or watery eyes
- Headaches
- Difficulty breathing
- Chronic inflammation of the airways
- Respiratory infection
How can I prevent mold in my home?
Mold spores can only grow in humid or damp areas, so it’s important to stay extra aware of the possibility of mold in and around:
- HVAC units/air conditioners
- Water heaters
- Windows and doors
- Basements
- Roofs
- Toilets
- Showers and bathtubs
- Sinks and drain pipes
- Dishwashers
- Garbage disposals
- Refrigerators
- Clothing washers
- and more
To keep moisture to a minimum:
- Maintain good ventilation
- Run an exhaust fan during a shower and for 20+ minutes after
- Use a range hood fan while cooking
- Open windows
- Use ceiling fans
- Only hang-dry clothes outside or in a well-ventilated area
- Avoid carpeting bathrooms or basements
- Clean surfaces regularly
- Maintain appliances, drains, pipes, and roofing
- Keep gutters clear of debris, and make sure rainwater flows away from your home
- Use a dehumidifier
- Clean up spills promptly
- Seal any cracks around windows and doors and in basements
- Be sure the ground outside slopes away from your house
The better we know our homes and notice small changes in appearance or smell, the more likely we’ll catch moisture issues before mold spores deem us welcoming hosts.
Then again, if you’re used to the look, feel, and smell of your home, it’s possible that mold is living right under your nose. That’s where HomeWorks can help.
How can Mass Save help prevent moisture and mold issues in my home?
Thanks to the sponsors of Mass Save, along with a charge on your monthly energy bill, HomeWorks Energy is able to offer Home Energy Assessments at no cost to you!
The benefits of a no-cost Home Energy Assessment don’t end with energy efficiency, though. Our expert assessors perform a health and safety check at every home they visit, taking note of moisture issues around windows, in basements, in bathrooms, and more. If something doesn’t seem right, they’ll let you know the best course of action.
How can I identify the type of mold in my home?
To put it bluntly, you don’t.
With so many types of mold and continued research into their many attributes and health effects, even the experts could get it wrong. Moreover, just because mold seems harmless to one individual doesn’t mean other people or animals aren’t suffering from exposure.
So, if you encounter mold in your home, the important thing isn’t identifying it, it’s eliminating it ASAP.
Services We Provide in Massachusetts
Schedule a no-cost assessment with HomeWorks Energy
At HomeWorks, our team is committed to helping you live confidently and comfortably in your home. To learn more about our services, schedule a no-cost Home Energy Assessment online or call us at 781-305-3319. Then, we encourage you to take advantage of the Mass Save rebates and incentives available to you by saying “yes” to recommended weatherization work and other home efficiency upgrades.
