Wenatchee and East Wenatchee Inspections-Are you a Fungi or just exposed to one

We are all live in an environment that exposes us to many kinds of molds, both inside and outside the house. With that said, some people will be more sensitive to mold and have allergies to some types of them. People suffering a response may have cold like symptoms.

If people are experiencing these symptoms it is difficult to really know if this is the results of exposure to mold(s) or from other causes. Some mold spores when breathed in are small enough to go deeply into the lungs and could cause serious illness.

In general it is not healthy to live in a home environment with high levels of moisture/dampness. This is because, not only for the mold that may be present, but a high level of moisture/dampness in the home be a cause for other conditions.

Dampness is associated with range of problems (not just mold). Dust mites flourish in damp spaces, as do bacteria.

Mold cannot produce their own food, thus they are parasitic in nature. Molds get food by absorbing minerals, sugars and water from the plants, soil, animals or decaying matter upon which they live.

Mold can feed on paper, fabric, wallpaper glue, sheetrock, wood, soap scum, leather, and many other surfaces.

Molds far outnumber pollens as part of the total airborne allergy count. There are many different mold offenders, but the most common mold are: Alternaria, Aspergillus, Cladosporium and Sporobolomyces.

Mold needs water and food! It can grow almost anywhere there is water, high humidity, or damp conditions.  Mold grows faster in warm temperatures with high humidity.

The two main ways to effectively reduce mold in the home environment is to keep it clean and keep it dry.

Remember molds are also beneficial. They help to make cheese, fertilize gardens, and speed decaying of garbage and fallen leaves.  After the devastating forest fires in Yellowstone National Park, mold was the first on the scene to begin the nature's process of decaying the leftover matter and building a base for new plants and trees.

Here is a few good links on mold control and information-

Controlling Mold - Kansas State University - NW Clean Air   -  EPA

Wenatchee and East Wenatchee Inspections-Are you a Fungi or just exposed to one

NCW Home Inspections, LLC  is located in Wenatchee Washington serving Chelan County, Douglas County, Okanogan County and Grant County Washington.