What Health Risks and Problems Can Arise From Mold?

You may not think about your crawl space often or at all. You may not have stepped foot (or crawled) inside it. But even if you never go into your crawl space, that doesn’t mean that mold can’t get into your home and can’t make you sick. There are many health risks that come with the exposure to mold. 

What is Mold and How Does it Grow and Spread?

Mold is a fungus that naturally grows and anywhere there is excess moisture and humidity. It thrives in dark, moist, humid environments. Unfortunately, crawl spaces are commonly prone to mold, due to the fact that it is one of those moist, dark and humid environments. Common causes of excess moisture can include leaks from pipes or harsh weather conditions, as well as condensation from the ground. If your crawl space has moisture and is unable to drain properly, then mold is likely to grow.

Once mold begins to form in your crawlspace, if the issue isn’t fixed right away, it can spread rapidly to more areas of your home. 

How Does the Mold Get Into Your Home?

Mold will eventually begin to travel through the air of your home, from your crawl space. Usually, the air travels in through air ducts, causing it to spread rapidly through your home and potentially making you sick. This is why it’s so important to fix the issue as soon as possible, to minimize the risk of health issues. 

What are the Health Risks of Mold?

There are many health problems that can arise due to prolonged exposure to mold, especially if you have asthma or other respiratory issues. 

Symptoms:

Some common symptoms of mold exposure to look out for include:

• Cough
• Sneezing
• Eye Irritation
• Wheezing
• Throat irritation
• Skin irritation
• Headaches
• Sinus congestion
• Compromised breathing

If you have asthma or other respiratory issues such as allergies, you may notice your typical symptoms are worse or you may have more severe attacks or reactions. If you have a condition that compromises your immune system, you could contract other serious health conditions. 

The longer the mold problem goes undetected or unfixed, the more severe your condition could become. But you may now be wondering, how do I know for sure this is a crawlspace mold problem? 

Signs You May Have Mold in Your Crawl Space:

Musty odors

If you notice a gross, musty odor in your home, this is a common indicator of mold somewhere in your home. Your crawlspace is a good place to check first.

Water Stains

If you notice water stains on the walls or floors of your home, this indicates there is moisture in those areas and likely mold.

Sudden Changes in Health or Respiratory Issues

You notice you or other members of the home’s allergies, asthma or other conditions are worse or more severe than usual. 

Your Floors are Warped or Sagging

If your floors look warped or feel “saggy,” this is another sign of moisture

If you notice any of these signs, it’s time to have your home and crawl space checked out. Call Your Crawl Space Guys and we will come and inspect your crawl space to detect where issues are coming from. We can fix whatever problem is causing the excess moisture and mold, by waterproofing your crawl space, repairing cracks and leak areas or installing a new sump pump. Whatever your crawl space needs, Your Crawlspace Guys can do it! Give us a call today!