Allergies and Mold: What You Need to Know in 2015

Itching and watery eyes, sore throat, and a nasty sneezing habit that you can’t shake? During the winter, it’s easy to dream away about warm weather and forget all about the reality of springtime allergies. When the spring does arrive, it’s hard to enjoy the great weather with allergy symptoms putting your days in a daze.

While many allergy symptoms are a result of outdoor pollen, there is another possibility that many people don’t consider: Mold. Indoor mold can cause an allergic reaction with the same symptoms as seasonal allergies. This makes it hard to discern where exactly the source of a reaction is, in your home, or outdoors. As spring carries more moisture, the likelihood of mold in a home greatly increases as well.

2015 has already proven to be a legendary year for allergies, and mold and moisture are seasonally breeding as plant pollen blooms outdoors. Try following these suggestions to make sure that indoor mold isn’t causing your allergic reaction.

Air-drying laundry that is sensitive to an electric-run dryer, rather than drying your clothes inside, can substantially reduce moisture in your home.

Utilize bathroom and kitchen fans to help circulate moisture away from your home, rather than allowing it to sit on surfaces, potentially breeding mold.

Watch for condensation settling on any home surfaces, and try to locate the source of moisture.

A dehumidifier is often quite effective at reducing moisture in a home, lessening the chance of mold and mold growth.

Watch for mold on any indoor plants, as plant life is often the carrier of mold, bringing it from the outdoors inside.

Ensure all home insulation has been properly installed and is well maintained.

Keep gutters clean, and properly maintain any downspouts that direct rainwater away from your home.

These are helpful tips for reducing the possibility of mold in your home, and information that may help you determine when you may need to call in a specialist. We here at Master Services offer free estimates for your home, ensuring you and your family’s safety and wellbeing.