Many people have a mold allergy. Mold spores are the main culprit of seasonal mold allergies. People suffering from mold allergies have their worst bouts from spring to early fall. It typically peaks in the late summer months.
The more humid and moist climates have mold allergies throughout the entire year.
Why are my mold allergies worse after a rain storm?
Mold allergy suffers know when the weather is about to change and when it is about to rain. Rain storms stir up all of the mold and other allergens into the air. Mold allergy suffers allergies act up for several days after a rain storm.
Can I have a mold allergy indoors?
Even inside your home you are not shielded from mold allergies. There are several areas in your home that may be ideal for mold to grow.
Bathrooms have several water sources that make ideal mold growth zones.
Inside of the toilet's bowl rim a little water can remain after each flush. This water along with the cool porcelain provide a great place for mold to grow.
Is there a window next to the bath tub or shower? Each time the shower is used a little water can get trapped in the window's track and provide a breeding ground for mold.
Shower heads especially the flexible kind that can be aimed directly down allow water to collect and mold to grow.
Shampoo and conditioner bottles will trap water beneath the bottle and allow mold to grow around the edges of the bottle.
Anti slip bath tub mat.
Wooden towel drying racks.
The vanity sink drain.
Basement / Cellar
A damp and moist cellar provides an excellent environment for mold growth. Cellers are by their nature cool and dark place which provides the ideal growing environment and make your mold allergies explode.
Air Conditioner Expansion Coil
The air conditioner evaporator coil is located next to the blower unit, typically in the attic of most homes. The evaporator coil takes the compressed refrigerant and allows it to expand. The expansion of the refrigerant cools the air down significantly. This cooling effect also causes water vapor to turn into liquid. That is why there is a drain line connected to the evaporator coil. Since the coil gets cold and wet each time the air conditioner runs, any dirt that is gets trapped on the evaporator coils fins will become a breading ground for mold. Once this happens, each time the air conditioner runs it will be fueling your mold allergy.
What can I do to eliminate mold growing in my home?
Bathroom
Turn on the exhaust fan and let it run for several minutes after a bath. The exhaust fan will pump out the moist, humid air out of the bathroom.
Wipe down the shower and bath tub after each use to remove any standing water.
For any mold colonies you find clean them up with a bleach based product.
Hang up the bath tub anti-slip mat after each use.
If the anti-slip mat begins to grow mold and cleaning it has failed, throw it out. It is not worth causing your mold allergy to flare up. As you throw out the anti-slip mat your mold allergy will act up.
To get rid of any mold growing in the toilet bowl rim use a toilet tank treatment that is activated each time the toilet is flushed.
Basement / Cellar
Have the exterior of the cellar retaining walls water proofed to reduce the amount of moister coming into the cellar from the outside.
For unfinished cellar add additional ventilation.
Add air conditioning ducts and vents in the basement to provide a proper air circulation.
Air Conditioner Expansion Coil
Have the air conditioner evaporator coil professionally cleaned to remove all dirt and mold.
Change out the air conditioner filters on a regular intervals.
Pleated paper air filters are much more effective in trapping air born dust than the fiber glass filters.
Mold allergies are a seasonal allergy that can be year around depending on where you live. Even indoors there are many places were mold can grow and cause a mold allergy attack. There are several things you can do to eliminate mold from your home.
