{"id":17267,"date":"2021-10-03T05:27:11","date_gmt":"2021-10-03T05:27:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/echowoven.com\/?p=17267"},"modified":"2021-10-03T05:27:12","modified_gmt":"2021-10-03T05:27:12","slug":"hidden-signs-your-house-could-have-toxic-mold","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/echowoven.com\/hidden-signs-your-house-could-have-toxic-mold\/","title":{"rendered":"Hidden Signs Your House Could Have Toxic Mold"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class='\"has-text-align-right\"'>Lisa Marie Conklin\n\n\n\n</p><p>When mold takes up residence in your house, your eyes, lungs, and skin will pay the rent. Here&rsquo;s what your body is telling you about mold.\n\n\n\n</p><h2 class='\"wp-block-heading\"'>How toxic is mold?\n\n\n\n</h2><p>Any mold that produces mycotoxins\u2014the \u201cmyco\u201d refers to fungus\u2014is toxic, and it can be quite poisonous. One of the more alarming varieties is\u00a0<em>Stachybotrys chartarum:\u00a0Dense, black, and usually present where moisture has been a long-term, unresolved issue, like a damp basement or in an abandoned home, this fungus can trigger a suite of health issues, like persistent headaches, diarrhea, breathing trouble, and more.\n\n\n\n<p>\n\n\n\n</p><h2 class='\"wp-block-heading\"'>Your chimney smells weird\n\n\n\n</h2><p>Chimney sweeps don\u2019t only remove dangerous creosote buildup; they can clean out toxic mold too. Moisture can accumulate in the porous bricks and mortar of a chimney. Rusty chimney caps or flashing that needs repair allow rain and snow to seep in, creating an environment for mold to thrive. That may be the reason you smell something funky on days when the wind is blowing in a certain direction. Fix the cap and flashing and call the chimney sweep to extinguish the mold issues.\u00a0\n\n\n\n</p><div class='\"wp-block-image\"'><figure class='\"aligncenter' size-full><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' width='\"700\"' height='\"466\"' src="%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/echowoven.com%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/10%5C/chimney.jpg%5C%22" alt='\"\"' class='\"wp-image-17269\"' title='\"\"' srcset='\"https:\/\/echowoven.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/chimney.jpg' https: sizes='\"auto,'>\n\n\n\n<h2 class='\"wp-block-heading\"'>Your eyes are watery and stinging\n\n\n\n</h2><p>People can have allergic reactions to mold, explains Purvi Parikh, MD, an allergist\/immunologist with Allergy &amp; Asthma Network. The symptoms can include itchy and watery eyes, coughing, and nasal congestion. If you suspect mold is triggering these symptoms, the American College of Allergy, Asthma &amp; Immunology suggests you track your reactions for two weeks to see if they kick in when you\u2019re in certain rooms or spaces within your house. You can also visit an allergist for a blood or skin test to confirm the allergy.\n\n\n\n</p><h2 class='\"wp-block-heading\"'>Your skin is tingling\n\n\n\n</h2><p>If you\u2019re allergic to mycotoxins, you\u2019ll experience tingling, itching, or burning sensations when you come into contact with the mold. Your body is reacting by releasing histamines, and the result can be dry, itchy, and scaly skin; you could get hives. If the condition persists, see an allergist and look into ways to locate and eradicate the growth.\n\n\n\n</p><div class='\"wp-block-image\"'><figure class='\"aligncenter' size-full><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' width='\"760\"' height='\"506\"' src="%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/echowoven.com%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/10%5C/02-bites-Signs-You-Could-Have-Bed-Bugs_518601232-noppawan09.jpg%5C%22" alt='\"\"' class='\"wp-image-17290\"' title='\"\"' srcset='\"https:\/\/echowoven.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/02-bites-Signs-You-Could-Have-Bed-Bugs_518601232-noppawan09.jpg' https: sizes='\"auto,'>\n\n\n\n<h2 class='\"wp-block-heading\"'>Your asthma is acting up\n\n\n\n</h2><p>Mold spores can find their way into the lungs and trigger asthma symptoms. One study found that dampness or mold in houses could account for one in five cases of asthma in the United States. If your asthma seems to be getting worse, you may have undetected mold in your house, according to the Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America. The group warns that mold can also cause a rare but more serious condition called allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis: This is a dramatic allergic and inflammatory reaction that leads to severe sneezing, coughing, and shortness of breath.\n\n\n\n</p><div class='\"wp-block-image\"'><figure class='\"aligncenter' size-full><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' width='\"700\"' height='\"466\"' src="%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/echowoven.com%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/10%5C/9-Times-Ibuprofen-Wont-Work%5Cu2014and-Could-Be-Dangerous-8.jpg%5C%22" alt='\"\"' class='\"wp-image-17282\"' title='\"\"' srcset='\"https:\/\/echowoven.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/9-Times-Ibuprofen-Wont-Work\u2014and-Could-Be-Dangerous-8.jpg' https: sizes='\"auto,'>\n\n\n\n<h2 class='\"wp-block-heading\"'>The paint is bubbling on your walls\n\n\n\n</h2><p>Have you noticed that the paint is bubbling on the walls of your bathroom or near a window? One of the most common reasons paint begins to bubble is moisture. And where there\u2019s moisture, there\u2019s probably mold. You won\u2019t be able to cover up the problem with a fresh coat of paint; you have to find the source of the moisture. It could be a leaky windowsill, too much humidity, or leaky plumbing. Once you fix the moisture issue, then you can repaint. Just make sure to scrape, patch, clean, and thoroughly dry the walls before rolling on the first coat.\u00a0\n\n\n\n</p><div class='\"wp-block-image\"'><figure class='\"aligncenter' size-full><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' width='\"700\"' height='\"466\"' src="%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/echowoven.com%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/10%5C/12-Hidden-Signs-Your-House-Could-Have-Toxic-Mold-6.jpg%5C%22" alt='\"\"' class='\"wp-image-17284\"' title='\"\"' srcset='\"https:\/\/echowoven.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/12-Hidden-Signs-Your-House-Could-Have-Toxic-Mold-6.jpg' https: sizes='\"auto,'>\n\n\n\n<h2 class='\"wp-block-heading\"'>Your bathroom exhaust fan is on the fritz\n\n\n\n</h2><p>\u201cMold is a particularly common problem in bathrooms with inadequate ventilation,\u201d says Yoel Piotraut, a managing partner at MyHome Design + Remodeling. A bathroom exhaust fan is an essential tool to keep toxic mold at bay\u2014but it won\u2019t work if it\u2019s clogged or not running well. In fact, if it\u2019s still steamy five to ten minutes after you get out of the shower, your fan isn\u2019t circulating enough air. It may need to be cleaned or replaced with a unit that meets the square footage of your bathroom. Piotraut also suggests cleaning the walls regularly with a bleach solution or other mold-killing product.\n\n\n\n</p><div class='\"wp-block-image\"'><figure class='\"aligncenter' size-full><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' width='\"700\"' height='\"466\"' src="%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/echowoven.com%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/10%5C/fan.jpg%5C%22" alt='\"\"' class='\"wp-image-17288\"' title='\"\"' srcset='\"https:\/\/echowoven.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/fan.jpg' https: sizes='\"auto,'>\n\n\n\n<h2 class='\"wp-block-heading\"'>Your floor feels squishy\n\n\n\n</h2><p>You know to be concerned about a soft spot in your hardwood floor. If you can access the subfloor through a crawl space or a basement, check for moisture. If that\u2019s not possible, you\u2019ll have to pull up a section of flooring. It\u2019s worth it: That moisture\u2014and any mold growth\u2014 will eventually spread. \u201cIf the wood floor is rotted, then the whole flooring needs to be changed,\u201d says Piotraut. \u201cIf the flooring is still in good condition and only has a small amount of mold, it can be removed with mold remover.\u201d\n\n\n\n</p><div class='\"wp-block-image\"'><figure class='\"aligncenter' size-full><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' width='\"700\"' height='\"466\"' src="%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/echowoven.com%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/10%5C/12-Hidden-Signs-Your-House-Could-Have-Toxic-Mold-4.jpg%5C%22" alt='\"\"' class='\"wp-image-17285\"' title='\"\"' srcset='\"https:\/\/echowoven.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/12-Hidden-Signs-Your-House-Could-Have-Toxic-Mold-4.jpg' https: sizes='\"auto,'>\n\n\n\n<h2 class='\"wp-block-heading\"'>Your house smells musty\n\n\n\n</h2><p>We\u2019re not knocking your cleaning skills, but mold that grows undetected can pose a real health risk. This is especially true for the elderly, warns Dr. Parikh. \u201cTheir symptoms are generally similar, but all chronic conditions are worse in the elderly as their bodies are not as resilient as [those of] younger patients and usually have other medical problems which may interfere with or complicate the treatment,\u201d says Dr. Parikh.\u00a0\n\n\n\n</p><div class='\"wp-block-image\"'><figure class='\"aligncenter' size-full><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' width='\"700\"' height='\"466\"' src="%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/echowoven.com%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/10%5C/12-Hidden-Signs-Your-House-Could-Have-Toxic-Mold-3.jpg%5C%22" alt='\"\"' class='\"wp-image-17286\"' title='\"\"' srcset='\"https:\/\/echowoven.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/12-Hidden-Signs-Your-House-Could-Have-Toxic-Mold-3.jpg' https: sizes='\"auto,'>\n\n\n\n<h2 class='\"wp-block-heading\"'>Your planter of begonias is leaking\n\n\n\n</h2><p>\u201cExterior landscaping that is close to the home, as well as planters placed against exterior walls, can also lead to mold issues, especially for stucco homes,\u201d says Gregg Cantor, President and CEO of Murray Lampert Design, Build, Remodel. Moisture finds its way inside the walls and can cause mold growth in the drywall and insulation. \u201cThis type of mold growth can be particularly dangerous because it\u2019s rarely caught until the mold shows up on the interior of the wall, at which point the growth can be extensive and a danger to your health,\u201d says Cantor.\n\n\n\n</p><div class='\"wp-block-image\"'><figure class='\"aligncenter' size-full><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' width='\"700\"' height='\"466\"' src="%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/echowoven.com%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/10%5C/12-Hidden-Signs-Your-House-Could-Have-Toxic-Mold-2.jpg%5C%22" alt='\"\"' class='\"wp-image-17287\"' title='\"\"' srcset='\"https:\/\/echowoven.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/12-Hidden-Signs-Your-House-Could-Have-Toxic-Mold-2.jpg' https: sizes='\"auto,'>\n\n\n\n<h2 class='\"wp-block-heading\"'>Mold implications\n\n\n\n</h2><p>Don\u2019t let mold build up\u2014in very rare cases, mycotoxins have been linked to heart problems and memory issues. Even if your health isn\u2019t at risk, your walls, flooring, and appliances could be damaged. For those that do suffer from exposure to mold, it will need to be removed, says Dr. Parikh. \u201cYou will continue to react to it if you are allergic. It is especially troublesome for those who develop breathing problems from the mold, such as asthma.\u201d\u00a0\n\n\n\n</p><h2 class='\"wp-block-heading\"'>Your attic insulation is lumpy\n\n\n\n</h2><p>Wave off the spider webs and take a closer look at the insulation in your attic. \u201cAttic insulation that is very lumpy and uneven-looking may mean a bigger problem,\u201d says John Bodrozic, Co-Founder of\u00a0HomeZada. \u201cThe insulation could be in bad shape due to unforeseen roof leaks, which could also mean potential mold issues.\u201d If your attic has poor circulation or improper ventilation, it could create ideal conditions for mold growth.\n\n\n\n</p><div class='\"wp-block-image\"'><figure class='\"aligncenter' size-full><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' width='\"700\"' height='\"466\"' src="%5C%22https:%5C/%5C/echowoven.com%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/10%5C/12-Hidden-Signs-Your-House-Could-Have-Toxic-Mold-1.jpg%5C%22" alt='\"\"' class='\"wp-image-17289\"' title='\"\"' srcset='\"https:\/\/echowoven.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/12-Hidden-Signs-Your-House-Could-Have-Toxic-Mold-1.jpg' https: sizes='\"auto,'>\n\n\n\n<p>\n\n\n\n</p><p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"</p><p>Lisa Marie Conklin When mold takes up residence in your house, your eyes, lungs, and skin will pay the rent. Here&rsquo;s what your body is telling you about mold. How toxic is mold? Any mold that produces mycotoxins\u2014the \u201cmyco\u201d refers to fungus\u2014is toxic, and it can be quite poisonous. One of the more alarming varieties &hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":17292,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[100,115,30,216,46,6,31],"class_list":["post-17267","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tie-life-style","tag-diy","tag-healthy-lifestyle","tag-household-hacks","tag-housekeeping","tag-life-hacks","tag-life-style","tag-tips"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/echowoven.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17267","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/echowoven.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/echowoven.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/echowoven.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/echowoven.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17267"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/echowoven.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17267\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/echowoven.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/17292"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/echowoven.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17267"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/echowoven.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17267"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/echowoven.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17267"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}</p></figure></div></figure></div></figure></div></figure></div></figure></div></figure></div></figure></div></figure></div></figure></div></em></p>