by Sarah Snyder

Created on: August 29, 2008   Last Updated: October 07, 2008

Nobody wants to think about mold growing in their home, but the reality is, many people who have mold in their house, don't even know they have a problem. Mold is not something to be taken lightly. Symptoms resulting from mold exposure may include nausea, headaches, fatigue, and even difficulty breathing. The first step in preventing these symptoms is identifying that you have a mold problem.

Signs that you may have mold in your house include a musty odor, increased allergy symptoms, discolored walls, cracked paint and peeling drywall. Certain factors that contribute to the growth of mold may be easily changed, and will help prevent the growth of mold in your home.

Leaky pipes and roofs are a major problem in the support of mold growth because many of these leaks may go undetected for long periods of time. Any type of moisture, even humidity, provides the mold with an ideal breeding ground. The more moisture you have in your house, the more susceptible you will be to mold. Another change you may want to make in your home is to make sure your appliances are vented outside rather than inside. This prevents excess moisture from staying in your home when it could just as easily be routed outside.

If you have stumbled upon this article too late, and you already have a mold problem, we have some solutions. Vinegar is the most convenient defense against mold in your home. Adding some vinegar to an empty spray bottle and spraying it directly on mold will help to kill the spores and prevent them from resurfacing. You can even use vinegar to mop your floors if that is an area of concern. Another helpful tool if you are battling mold in your home is a dehumidifier which actually helps to take moisture out of the air, and therefore take away the very thing mold needs to grow. If you have damp carpeting, baking soda is an affordable and effective method for absorbing moisture. Simply sprinkle some baking soda on carpet and let it rest for a few hours before vacuuming it up.

While battling mold is an inconvenience, having mold in your home can be downright dangerous. With a little bit of work, and attention to detail, you can be sure that your home, and family, will be free from the toxic effects of mold.

Learn more about this author, Sarah Snyder.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.