Mold in Your Walls? It Can Damage Your Health
Most people will have lived in a building with mold at some point. However, did you know that mold can have an extremely detrimental effect on your health and the structure of the building?
Wyoming’s climate is conducive to mold growth, making it a severe problem for the state. There is a lot of moisture in the air, and the temperatures are often warm enough in homes for it to prosper. In addition, many homes in Wyoming are made of wood, a natural food source for mold. Mold can quickly take over a wooden structure, causing it to deteriorate and become unsafe. Finally, mold can cause various health problems, including respiratory problems, skin irritation, and allergies. If you suspect that mold is present in your home, it is crucial to have it removed by a professional as soon as possible.
What Is Mold?
Mold is a fungus, a spore-producing organism that feeds on organic matter. For example, mushrooms produce caps that grow above ground, and mold produces small, hair-like forms.
Mold feeds on organic matter, which is why it can be a problem for houses made from organic materials such as wood and can typically be found on walls and under the carpet. It requires a damp environment to grow, so mold can often form and spread if a house’s drainage system is inadequate.
Despite often being relatively innocuous, mold harms the home’s and its inhabitants’ health. The spores that mold releases into the air are breathed in by those nearby and can have damaging internal effects on the body. These spores can cause allergy flare-ups, asthma attacks, congestion, and constant cold symptoms.
As it feeds on the organic material of the home, mold can also eat away at the structure of the house, causing it to become unsafe and unstable. This can severely reduce the home’s property value, as most buyers are looking for a property with a sound structure that will not compromise their safety. Buyers may also be conscious of mold-caused health defects that impact the home’s value.
How Can Mold Affect Your Health?
Mold can cause various health problems, including allergies and respiratory infections. Mold spores are inhaled, causing sneezing, coughing, watery eyes, and difficulty breathing. People with weakened immune systems can cause more severe problems, such as pneumonia. You must see a doctor immediately if you think you may have been exposed to mold.
Who Is Responsible for The Mold?
If you find mold in your home, don’t panic and immediately assume you are responsible. Several factors can indicate that another party may be responsible for the mold.
The contractor who built your home might be responsible for the mold due to inadequate building methods or a low workmanship standard. However, if the contractor was not liable, it could be in the hands of the engineer who designed the home, as they may have cut corners that created an environment for the mold to grow. Or, whoever supplied the materials to the contractor may have provided damp wood that was already infested with mold, and therefore they may be able to be held liable.
If the realtor who sold you the home knew about the mold problem and did not disclose this to you when you were purchasing the property, they may also be responsible.
As a renter in Wyoming, you have the right to a safe and habitable dwelling. Your landlord must address any requested repairs in a reasonable amount of time. Additionally, rental properties must be free of dangers or health hazards. If you believe your rental property is not up to these standards, reach out to your landlord and request that they remedy the situation.
How We Can Help
If you have found mold in your home, you must act quickly to treat it to avoid any further damage to your health and home. You may also gain compensation for expenses and damages caused by the mold. A Gillette premises liability attorney from Steven Titus & Associates, P.C. can assess the situation and help you to determine who may be responsible for the mold. If it is found that someone other than yourself is the culprit, then you can make a claim.
Our experienced team can guide you through this process, helping ensure you get the best outcome possible. So, if you have found mold in your home, call us today at (307) 257-7800
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