February 19th, 2021
Most people know the presence of mold in your home is a serious health risk to your family. It can cause a number of illnesses, respiratory issues, and even toxic mold syndrome. These health risks are serious enough that you should always hire a remediation specialist if you find mold in your home. However, did you know it is also a major risk to the structure of your home? Mold can be very damaging to the physical structure of your home and can cause a lot of costly damage. Here are just five of the ways that mold can damage your home.
1.Structural
Most species of mold eat cellulose, a material found in plant fiber. Homes that have wood studs or other wooden materials as part of their structure are vulnerable to mold. Mold will slowly eat away at these materials and eventually lead to the degradation of the structural integrity of the building. There have even been cases where the mold damage on the wood studs was so severe the home collapsed.
2.Drywall
Drywall is also susceptible to mold damage. Drywall is gypsum sandwiched between thick paper. Paper is full of cellulose, so mold will begin eating the external part of the drywall. If the mold damage is severe enough they will eat through the paper, leaving only the gypsum. This causes a significant amount of damage and can also lead to walls crumbling and even collapsing.
3.Flooring
Another area that can be significantly damaged by mold is the floors. Depending on the type of flooring you have mold can attack numerous layers. It can attack the wooden floor studs, the floorboards, and the flooring itself. This makes your floors very unstable and can ultimately lead to collapse.
4.Windows
Windows are especially susceptible to mold damage. If windows are older or damaged, they can let in a lot of moisture. That moisture attracts mold. The mold will attach the window frame and even the weather stripping depending on the material. This can lead to more moisture which then leads to more mold.
5.HVAC Systems
Mold can enter into HVAC systems. This causes a twofold problem. First, HVAC systems blow air throughout your home which can circulate mold spores, spreading the mold all over your home. Secondly, it can corrode parts of the ductwork, leading to damage to the larger system. If you find mold in your air ducts, you need to speak with a mold remediation specialist immediately.
Mold is a serious problem that not only causes severe health issues but can damage the structural integrity of your home. If you find mold, it’s important to contact a mold remediation specialist like Meridian Foundation Repair and Waterproofing to protect your family. Our fully licensed, certified, and insured team of mold remediation experts will inspect your home for mold and will not only remove the mold, but they will also repair the damage. If you have mold in your home, don’t wait. Give us a call today to learn more.