By Don Rackler, WOAI.com Expert
SAN ANTONIO- How is the humidity in your home? Does moisture ever condense on the inside of your windows? Look at your heat and air registers. Do you see any rust or green or black deposits on the grates? Have you or any member of the family experienced the sensation of feeling better away from home than at home? Do members of the family often display allergic reactions in the home such as wheezing, watery eyes, sneezing often? The problem could be an issue with house mold.
Tight homes save us energy. If the humidity level is not properly balanced, there can be mold growing in parts of the home. It could be present in ducts, in basements or crawl spaces. Mold can be visible or invisible. It can grow and thrive in a variety of areas in a home.
Here are a few facts about common house mold:
* A Mayo Clinic study released in 1999 states that nearly all chronic sinus infections are a direct result of mold.
* That same year, a USA Today story presented evidence that the 20 years previous to that had shown a 300 percent increase in asthma rates. Those rates were directly attributed to mold.
* Not everyone is susceptible to mold spores, but those who are can develop severe respiratory problems with prolonged exposure.
* House mold thrives in humid areas such as bathrooms and ducts, basements and around sinks.
* Molds are of the fungi family and there are possibly upwards of 300,000 different varieties. Science has not counted them all.
Tight, energy efficient homes do not have to be breeding grounds for mold colonies. Technology in the home comfort industry has developed methods to stop mold growth and prevent it from recurring.
If you suspect a house mold problem or if you would just like to make sure mold is not an unwanted guest, call Jon Wayne Heating and Air Conditioning. We can answer any questions you have, schedule an air test or check the humidity level in your home. Don’t live with mold problems. We can help. Call us today.
