Maintaining healthy air quality in your home or office space is a top priority, so when it comes to mold and mildew, it’s important to be able to identify conditions that invite them.
Mildew is a fungus that’s easily identified as a flat patch of gray or white spots on a moist, organic surface. It’s easily removed with a household cleaner and scrubbing brush.
Mold, on the other hand, appear fuzzy and may be symptomatic of a larger infestation if it’s not caught quickly enough. Both mold and mildew sprout and thrive in damp, warm areas.
Whether we like it or not, mold exists in every home, no matter how clean it is. It can grow inside walls and ceilings exposed to moisture from a roof or plumbing leak. Mold can grow in a variety of colors, including black, white, green and orange.
Black mold can be toxic and releases spores that feed on organic materials, such as drywall, carpeting, and insulation. Exposure to black mold can cause respiratory issues, as well as coughing and sneezing, eye irritation, rashes, headaches and chronic fatigue. Long-term exposure can be especially dangerous and even deadly, especially for individuals with asthma or immune system conditions.
Here are a few things to remember when it comes to mold and mildew:
–Mustiness is often a sign of a problem. Air fresheners, disinfectant sprays, and household cleaning products may mask the smell, but the only real way to eliminate the odor is to remove the root of the problem.
–Eliminating moisture is the best way to eliminate mold and mildew. Identify spaces in your home or workplace that are generally damp or humid, and conduct a visual assessment. Be sure to clean up and immediately dry areas where a leak or flood has occurred. Mold will likely begin to grow 48 hours in areas that are still damp.
–Check for mold on air conditioning units, walls and windows where condensation is present, refrigerators and freezers, indoor plants, waste baskets and trash cans, recycle bins and newspaper or magazine piles that are stored in damp areas, such as a basement.
A professional air treatment and filtration system can dramatically reduce the conditions that invite mold and mildew, and a well-designed system works better than a conventional dehumidifier.
All Day Air Heating & Cooling is your go-to source for air quality, heating and cooling solutions in southwest Florida. For more information and a list of complete services, visit http://www.alldayaircooling.com, or call 239-357-0727.
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