The Importance Of Protecting Your Family's Health From Damp. By Jess Walter

The Importance Of Protecting Your Family’s Health From Damp

Almost 20% of homes in the U.S. have a damp problem caused by water leakage, according to the most recent U.S. Census. This is a worrying statistic, particularly when you’ve got little ones to keep safe at home as damp can lead to mold and a whole host of health concerns. As such, it’s crucial that you get to the bottom of your property’s damp issue fast.

Health impact

Damp affects people of all ages, however, young children and older adults are most at risk as their immune systems are typically weaker. It’s common for respiratory concerns to arise as a result of exposure to damp. Research shows that damp impacts the way the lungs function and increases the likelihood of asthma by double. In individuals who already have asthma, damp will heighten their symptoms, and coughing, wheezing, and runny eyes may occur. Other health issues to be concerned about include eczema, nausea, and fever, as well as serious respiratory illnesses, including pulmonary hemosiderosis.

Dealing with damp & mold

Damp in your home isn’t something to be ashamed of, but it is something you should deal with. Damp usually appears in a property when a pipe bursts, there’s not enough ventilation, or its foundations have been damaged. Once the cause of the issue has been identified and dealt with, you’ll need to deal with the damp and the subsequent mold that it has created. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 25% of properties in warm climates have mold, and the longer it’s left untreated, the worse it can be for your health and to treat. A mold remediation service will ensure that all the damp and mold in your home is dealt with by using specialist sprays and devices. You can also have tests done to check whether the mold in your home is air-borne. This is recommended when you’ve got young children in your home as it ensures the best treatment is carried out.

Long-term protection

Damp is something you should always be on the lookout for, even after your home has been professionally treated. Damp and mold often can’t be physically seen until they have been present for some time. As such, you should look out for the signs that it’s lurking, including:

• A musty smell
• Cold walls and floors, and;
• Excessive condensation on windows and doors

Additionally, if either you or your children experience any of the following, then it’s a red flag that there’s mold somewhere around:

• Feeling under the weather
• Nasal congestion and other allergy-like symptoms, such as itching and coughing, and;
• Finding it difficult to sleep

If these signs are consistently present in your home and your health continues to decline over several weeks, there’s a good chance the damp is back, so you should take action to source the location of the problem and treat it before mold takes over your home again.

Your family’s health and safety should be one of the most important things in your life. You should, therefore, actively look for and deal with any dampness that appears in your home quickly and effectively. In addition, as dampness and mold can cause many health problems, you’ll need to educate yourself on the hidden signs and symptoms that dampness is lurking in your home to prevent it from spiraling out of control.