Once mold takes hold, it can cause odor, discoloration, and damage to drywall, flooring, furniture, and other materials. The presence of mold gives off an odor or musty smell. The damage can be easily seen. 
Typical visual indicators are sunken areas of baseboards, or areas where the baseboard separates from the wall or floor, white patches appearing under floor treatments or on walls behind furniture, or with staining or discoloration of wall material or around vents.
Even condensation on your walls and windows can be evidence of a mold issue. Mold that is allowed to flourish will multiply quickly and can lead to serious structural damage, dramatically lowering the value of your home or building. Real estate agents report that if mold or mold damage is found, homes and buildings are harder to sell.
Because ventilation and insulation are key components to protecting your property, when these items are improperly installed, not maintained, or incur damage they can allow moisture into confined spaces such as attics, basements or crawl spaces. Because our Michigan weather varied climates in four-seasons, there are times when the outside air temperature and humidity will clash with the inside air, resulting in condensation.
If the condensation remains unchecked and never dries, the probability for mold growth greatly increases. When attics or basements sustain high levels of trapped moisture, it can result in wood rot causing damage to your joists and even your subflooring.
Mold is not only unsightly and damaging to your Southeastern Michigan property, it can produce allergens and irritants that can jeopardize the health of your family or employees. A person can be exposed to mold by touching a contaminated surface or material, or by inhaling mold spores. Active mold growth results in airborne mold spores, which are then inhaled by occupants. Many, if not all, molds may produce one or more substances broadly called “mycotoxins”.
Molds that are known to produce mycotoxins are referred to as “toxigenic”. While the sensitivity to mold varies in allergic persons and the amount of mycotoxins necessary to cause harm to a person are not truly known, there is evidence suggesting that indoor mold and respiratory illness are related. Symptoms from mold exposure can include respiratory issues, wheezing, sinus congestion, eye and/or throat irritation or itchiness, skin reactions and chronic coughing. Severe reactions may also include shortness of breath and fever. Some people with chronic lung illnesses, such as obstructive lung disease, may develop mold infections in their lungs.
Before mold can hurt you, your loved ones, your employees or your Michigan property, call A2Restoration for a Mold Inspection today at 734-994-9044 or visit a2restoration.com.
