While mold can exist and grow year-round, it flourishes and worsens in warm, moist, and humid temperatures. Cold temperatures keep mold somewhat at bay, but as spring rolls around, the risk for mold increases, and building inhabitants’ risk for mold-related health concerns also increases.
Mold is a type of fungus that can be present visually in homes, or exist as spores in the air that humans and animals can inhale. Numerous types of mold exist, and vary based on location, appearance, toxicity, etc. However, it is most common to pop up in areas that have higher concentrations of moisture, such as bathrooms, faucets, roofs, and pipes.
Spring specifically brings about warmer weather and more rain, meaning that more moisture exists within buildings during this season. It’s important to note that while you may not visually see mold growing, it can be spreading inside walls, along ceiling tiles, or outside the home, and the negative health impacts can be just as harmful.
Spring is naturally allergy season, and when mold comes into play, these allergy symptoms can be worsened. Post-nasal drip, coughing, nasal congestion, and sneezing are all common allergy symptoms, but can also be evidence of mold in the home. If a person or animal is exposed to mold long-term, these symptoms can exacerbate and lead to more serious health concerns such as pneumonia or even bleeding in the lungs.
During springtime, it’s important to be especially aware of any potential mold growth in your living space. While the health impacts could be guised as allergy symptoms, a simple mold test can give you peace of mind that your home is mold-free.
As spring approaches, it’s best to take proactive measures by using at-home testing kits or utilizing the services of an experienced environmental professional to detect potential mold growth and dispose of it as swiftly as possible. In the meantime, it’s best to limit moisture in the home by whatever means possible, including dehumidifiers, fans, and maintaining low temperatures.