Cactus Village Community

The New “Bad Guy”

Jul 27, 2003

Mold has been around for thousands of years, yet lately it has caught a lot of attention in the newspapers, on television and in magazines. Why all the fuss? Mold and mildew are found everywhere in our environment. They can grow anywhere there is a food source: wood, paper, dirt, drywall, wallpaper, carpet, and fabric. Mold can be any color from black to white, pink to green.

Mold & mildew can be very destructive to the material on which it grows. They can cause staining, rotting, and musty odors. When mold colonies get out of control, they produce by-products (mycotoxins) which can be harmful to your health, causing irritation to the skin, eyes and respiratory tracts.

Mold grows where there is moisture, where flooding or leaks have occurred. Mold cannot grow on dry materials even if all other conditions are ideal for mold growth. Mold needs moisture to grow.

Water often comes from flooding or problems with indoor plumbing, such as leaking pipes, toilets, dishwashers, water heaters, other appliances or leaking roofs.

If mold conditions are allowed to exist, they may produce enough airborne irritants to cause coughing and cold-like symptoms. Exposure to high snore levels can cause the development of an allergy to the mold. It can also cause structural damage to your house.

Check your home regularly for leaks under sinks, dishwashers or washing machines. After the rainy season (when we have one), check in the attic to make sure there are no water leaks. Keeping things dry will keep mold at bay.

Mold has been added to the Real Estate Disclosure List and you will see more and more buyers testing homes for mold before purchasing. . . ☻