Mold Problems on the Ceiling and Walls

Mold is fungi, small organisms that digest plant matter and release spores into the air when they are disturbed. Mold serves a worthwhile purpose in the outdoors as it helps to break down dead plant matter. This is not a desired function inside of a home, however. The presence of mold can dramatically affect property value, among other things.

About mold

Contrary to popular thought, mold can grow in most places. Just because mold eats plant matter does not mean that it is limited to wood or cloth; it can grow on almost any kind of material if there are certain factors in the environment. The most important factor is moisture. A moist area is the ideal situation for mold spores to germinate.

Mold is not always identifiable as mold; it can appear as water stains, for instance. The moisture may come from any of a number of sources that may not always immediately obvious to homeowners. Moisture can come from condensation on windows due to an air conditioner in the summer or a heating system in winter. It may collect on the ceiling or on walls without being noticed to those dwelling in the home. A flooded house that has dried may still have wet areas that give rise to mold, or there may be a leaking pipe or water heater somewhere out of sight.

One way that moisture gets into ceilings is via roof-leaks, which often go undetected if the leak is not large. The best way to get rid of mold is to dry the air and to repair the source of moisture. Often, dehumidifiers are used to remove do this. Dehumidifiers pull in the wet air, remove the moisture and put out dried air.

The effects of mold

In most cases a person who is in fairly good health will not be affected by mold in their home. Someone who has asthma or allergies, on the other hand, may have reactions to the presence of certain types of mold. These reactions vary in severity depending on the mold-type and the person’s health. They can range from sneezing and asthma attacks to nausea and fatigue.