You might have something lurking in your home that is making you and your family sick and not even know it. In kitchens and bathrooms, behind or under appliances that can hide slow leaks, leaky roofs and around windows where condensation collects and high humidity areas in the home can all hide this lurking problem. Fabrics and carpets in your home can also be affected by leaks or when poor cleaning methods are used that result in over wetting. The problem we’re talking about is mold and it can make you very sick. Poor cleaning methods contribute to these potential mold problems. If you go with a carpet cleaning company that offers prices that are too good to be true than you might end up with mold!
 

What Can Breathing in Mold Do?

• Muscle and joint pain
• Shortness of breath
• Headaches, anxiety, depression and memory loss
• Vision problems
• GI problems
• Fatigue and immune system issues
 

How Does Mold Grow in a House?

When fungi grow they do so by releasing reproductive cells or spores into the air in the same way plants reproduce by spreading seeds. We cannot see these spores because they are microscopic. This is the reason they are a problem. These spores are extremely tiny with 20 million of them fitting on a postage stamp. Hundreds and even thousands of mold spores can be found in a cubic foot of indoor air. Spores are capable of living in harsh environments and many spores can lay dormant for decades until conditions become favorable and they come back to life. Scientists have identified more than 1,000 kinds of mold that can grow in homes.
 

Identifying Mold Types

1. Allergenic molds. Allergenic molds are typically not life-threatening but are the most problematic for those with allergies or asthma. It can be difficult to determine which ones you’re sensitive to and children are most at risk for suffering from allergies.
2. Pathogenic molds. Pathogenic molds will cause infection and can be dangerous to those that have a suppressed immune system. These molds can travel upwards between gaps in the floorboards. These can cause bacterial pneumonia and pneumonitis when they get into the lungs.
3. Toxigenic molds. These molds produce mycotoxins that are dangerous and can have serious health effects. These chemical toxins are in the air or on surfaces and are inhaled, ingested or touched. Aflatoxin is an example of one of these mycotoxins and is the one that grows on peanuts and grains and some other foods. Aflatoxin is the most potent carcinogen known to man.
 

Carpet Cleaning in Tracy, Livermore, San Ramon, Dublin, Mountain House, Walnut Creek, Danville & the East Bay of California

You do not want dampness in your home. If carpets stay wet for too many days, then the possibility of mold growth is there. The right company will use powerful equipment to extract as much moisture as possible. Use a company like Carpet Care 2000 that uses a hot water extraction method to clean carpets with truck mounted machines that will heat the water to a sanitizing temperature. Carpet Care 2000 has highly trained technicians to ensure your carpets aren’t at risk for developing mold. Call us today to set up an appointment.