The Harmful Sick Home
Too Much Moisture
Not Enough Ventilation
The Silent, Invisible Threat
Mold and Your Health
Mold Sentry = Cost Savings
The simple truth is this: A sick home can lead to sick family members. Sick Home Syndrome occurs when an overly humid home lacks a proper flow of air. These conditions can lead to mold growth, which can harm both your family and your property.
But how can you tell if your home contains harmful mold? Here are a few questions to ask: Does your house have a stale, musty odor? Does your home suffer from poor insulation and increased humidity? If so, these are prime conditions for mold growth and Sick Home Syndrome.
In particular, unventilated basements – with their excess moisture, stagnant air and a steady food supply – prove to be perfect for the growth of mold spores. These spores act like seeds, spreading mold wherever the conditions are right.
This indoor mold growth can be harmful to both people and property. Mold escalates allergy symptoms, respiratory troubles, etc. Mold also causes wood to rot and the destruction of clothing and furniture.
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No matter where you are, you’ll find moisture in the air. Your family produces a lot of moisture by itself as a result of normal activities such as cooking, washing, dishwashing and showering. Outside weather conditions have an impact, as well.
Problem is, too much unventilated moisture in the air can actually harm a home and the people who live inside. When indoor relative humidity levels reach 70 percent, your home presents an ideal environment for mold growth. This mold poses long- and short-term health risks and may lead to expensive structural damage.
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Replacement windows, improved insulation and modern construction methods may lead to obvious energy-saving benefits, but they may actually harm your indoor air quality. These days, homes are designed and constructed to minimize the amount of outdoor air that can enter through infiltration or natural ventilation. When your doors and windows are closed – when your home is, in effect, sealed – your house cannot “breathe.” This lack of airflow traps harmful mold inside.
New homes are built so airtight – sealed and insulated so well – that fresh air is unable to enter. Excess moisture increases, and these homes become a perfect breeding ground for mold. The Mayo Clinic has even gone on record, stating that homes with “weather-tight construction and inadequate ventilation actually have higher levels of unhealthy air than some older, draftier homes.”
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Right now, mold could be in your home – and you don’t even know it. Just because you can’t see the mold growth doesn’t mean that it’s not there. Musty odors are almost always a sure sign of the presence of mold; however, there are other warning signs, as well:
- Obvious mold and mildew buildup
- Damp walls, windows and floors
- Cold damp basements
- Fog or condensation on windows
- Wet windowsills
- Rotting windows and frame
- Peeling paint
- Rust
- Unexplained indoor allergic reactions
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The health of your family may depend on the timely removal of dangerous mold. Excess mold in your home has been linked to a number of health issues:
- Mold allergies have been well documented, and their symptoms include a runny nose, irritated eyes, skin rashes and respiratory difficulties.
- Mold has also been known to cause skin, eye or lung infections in those who may be more susceptible (due to chemotherapy or disease).
- Mold can irritate mucous membranes of the eyes and respiratory system.
- Mold produces certain harmful compounds, which are thought to cause headaches, dizziness and an inability to concentrate.
- Some molds produce toxins, which cause fatigue, nausea, headaches and respiratory and eye irritations.
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Join the other smart homeowners who have discovered the financial differences – both now and in the future – that the Mold Sentry System can make. For starters, Mold Sentry can save your home and furniture from costly repairs. And when it comes time to sell your home, you can offer additional living spaces, cleaner air and a patent-pending mold-removal system to potential buyers.
What’s more, mold disclosure statements are likely to discourage potential homebuyers. Homes that are disclosed to have mold problems are, therefore, much more difficult to sell. And when they do, it’s usually at less than market value. So, if you’re trying to sell a mold-infested home, the Mold Sentry system is essential.
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