As we enter into a new year, now is a time when people resolve to put home improvement and maintenance on their to-do list. Mold is something that can be easy to overlook, but it is important enough that you shouldn’t. Mold spores are everywhere in nature, but the spores only grow and become dangerous if given the right environment. This year, hire a mold remediation company and commit to addressing your mold issue so that it is no longer an issue or able to increase health risks to you and your family.
What Is Mold?
Mold is a natural part of the environment that actually plays a helpful role by breaking down organic material like leaves and fallen trees. However, when mold is present indoors, it can grow and pose a health risk to you and your family. If given the right conditions, mold can spread quickly and quietly, often before homeowners even realize it’s there.
Mold spores are present in the air and don’t pose a threat unless they are able to multiply and grow. When those spores land on damp or humid surfaces, they can replicate and grow in as little as 24 to 48 hours. Things like roof leaks, plumbing issues, flooding, poor ventilation, high humidity, and even everyday condensation can all create a perfect environment for mold growth. When mold begins to grow out of control, it is no longer a matter of simply wiping it away.
What are the Most Common Areas for Mold to Grow?
The most common places for mold to grow in homes are bathrooms, basements, crawl spaces, attics, laundry rooms, and kitchens. If left unchecked, mold can grow on drywall, wood, carpet, insulation, ceiling tiles, furniture, and clothing. It also comes in many colors, such as black, green, white, or gray, and sometimes even orange. But the color alone doesn’t tell you how serious the problem is. Ignoring the problem doesn’t make it go away; any mold growing inside your home deserves attention.
Is Mold Harmful to Your Health?
Mold isn’t just an eyesore; it can impact both your family’s health and your home’s integrity. When mold releases spores into the air, those spores can be inhaled. When you inhale the mold, it can lead to allergy-like symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, itchy eyes, congestion, headaches, or skin irritation.
Mold exposure can be especially problematic for individuals with asthma, allergies, compromised immune systems, young children, or elderly family members. Long-term exposure may worsen respiratory conditions, trigger asthma attacks, and lead to chronic sinus issues or fatigue. There are even some types of mold that can produce toxins that continue to cause more serious symptoms over time. In severe cases, it can also be toxic and lead to long-term illness and chronic disease risk.
Mold Also Can Decrease Your Home’s Equity and Value
Mold is a substance that can also take its toll on your home’s value and equity. Because it feeds on organic materials, mold slowly breaks down drywall, wood framing, flooring, and insulation. If you leave mold untreated, the damage done can weaken parts of your home and lead to expensive repairs. When mold issues are present, it can also lower your property value and create complications and restrictions when you try to sell your house.
Is it Safe to Remove Mold Myself?
You might be tempted to clean mold themselves, especially when it appears as a small spot on a wall or ceiling. While very minor surface mold on non-porous materials can sometimes be cleaned using household cleaners, this approach only works in limited situations. It also typically doesn’t address what’s happening behind the scenes, where you can’t see mold growth or the originating problem.
Mold is often a symptom of a bigger moisture issue. Therefore, if the source of moisture isn’t fixed, mold will almost always come back. Once more, if it is cleaned improperly, mold spores can spread throughout your home, turning a small issue into a much larger one.
How to Safely Remove Mold
Proper mold removal involves more than wiping away visible growth and calling it fixed. A thorough approach includes:
- Identifying and repairing the moisture source that allowed mold to grow, to begin with
- Containing the affected area so spores don’t spread to other rooms
- Removing and cutting out materials that are too damaged to be safely cleaned
- Cleaning and treating remaining surfaces with professional-grade antimicrobial products
- Fully drying and dehumidifying the space to prevent regrowth
- Applying preventative measures so that it won’t come back
Because mold can hide behind walls, under flooring, and inside HVAC systems, what you see is often only part of the problem. If you try to eradicate it using over-the-counter products, it is likely you are only putting a band-aid on a great, and potentially expensive, issue.
Why You Need to Hire a Mold Remediation Company
When it comes to mold in your home, hiring a professional remediation company is often the safest and most effective solution. Remediation professionals are trained to find hidden mold, identify moisture problems, and remove mold effectively without spreading and contaminating the environment of your home.
Mold remediation companies use specialized equipment that homeowners don’t have access to. Commercial equipment such as HEPA air scrubbers, negative air machines, moisture meters, and commercial-grade dehumidifiers are used to ensure the process is done completely and safely. Commercial-grade equipment cleans the air, contains affected areas, and ensures everything is properly dried.
The Most Important Reason to Hire a Mold Remediation Company is Your Health!
The safety of your family is another major reason to let your mold problem be a mold remediation company’s problem. If you disturb mold without properly protecting the affected area, it can release large amounts of spores into the air and get into your HVAC system. Professionals wear protective gear and follow strict containment procedures to keep your family safe during the remediation process.
Reputable remediation companies also document their work, which can be helpful for insurance claims and future home sales. Documentation gives homeowners the security of knowing that the problem is handled correctly. Most importantly, however, they focus on fixing the root cause of the mold, instead of just addressing the visible damage. In doing so, they ensure that the problem is far less likely to come back.
As we head into 2026, homeowners should resolve to ensure that their home is a safe and healthy environment. If you suspect that your home may have a mold issue, regardless of size, addressing it immediately will minimize both the cost and damage of mold growth. Contact our company today so we can provide you peace of mind knowing that you are doing all that you can to increase your family’s health and longevity in the new year.
