**Asheville Air: Mold Lies Hiding Summer Allergies?**
By Franklin Everett ShawThe air in Asheville hangs heavy in the summer, thick with humidity. It’s a beautiful place, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, but that humidity breeds a hidden enemy: mold. And for many residents, that mold means misery.
Asheville’s humid summers create a perfect breeding ground for mold. The combination of warm temperatures and high moisture levels allows mold spores to thrive both indoors and outdoors. This leads to significantly higher mold spore counts in the air, particularly during July and August.
Identifying mold in your home is the first step to combating its effects. Look for telltale signs like:
- Musty odors: This is often the first indication of mold growth, even before you see it.
- Visible mold: Mold can appear in various colors, including black, green, brown, and white. Check damp areas like bathrooms, basements, and around windows.
- Water stains: These can indicate leaks that are feeding mold growth.
- Peeling or bubbling paint or wallpaper: This can be a sign of moisture trapped behind the surface, creating a mold-friendly environment.
Common problem areas in Asheville homes include crawl spaces (often poorly ventilated), bathrooms (showers and leaky pipes), and basements (prone to dampness). Pay special attention to these areas during your inspections.
Reducing indoor mold exposure requires a multi-pronged approach. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Control Humidity: Use dehumidifiers, especially in basements and crawl spaces. Aim for a humidity level between 30-50%.
- Improve Ventilation: Open windows when the weather permits, and use exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens. Ensure proper ventilation in crawl spaces.
- Fix Leaks: Address any leaks promptly, whether they’re from roofs, pipes, or windows.
- Clean Regularly: Clean bathrooms and kitchens frequently to prevent mold growth. Use mold-killing cleaning products.
- Consider Air Purifiers: Air purifiers with HEPA filters can help remove mold spores from the air.
A common mistake is simply wiping away visible mold without addressing the underlying moisture problem. The mold will just return. Another pitfall is using bleach as the sole cleaning agent. While bleach can kill surface mold, it doesn’t penetrate porous materials and can actually feed the mold in the long run.
Differentiating between mold allergies and pollen allergies, which are also prevalent in Asheville, can be tricky. Both can cause similar symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, and congestion. However, mold allergies tend to be more persistent and can occur year-round, while pollen allergies are typically seasonal.
Mold allergy symptoms often worsen in damp environments or after exposure to moldy materials. Pollen allergies, on the other hand, are usually worse on windy days when pollen counts are high. Keeping a symptom diary can help you identify triggers and patterns.
For Asheville residents, several local resources can help with mold testing and remediation.
- Mold Testing Services: Companies like Blue Ridge Environmental Services and Asheville Mold Inspections offer professional mold testing services to identify the type and extent of mold growth in your home.
- Mold Remediation Companies: If you have significant mold growth, consider hiring a professional remediation company like AdvantaClean of Asheville or PuroClean of Asheville. They have the expertise and equipment to safely remove mold and prevent its recurrence.
- Allergy Specialists: Consult with an allergist at Asheville Allergy & Immunology or Mission Health Allergy & Asthma for diagnosis and treatment of mold allergies. They can perform allergy testing to confirm your sensitivities and recommend appropriate medications or immunotherapy.
DIY air quality testing kits can provide a preliminary assessment of mold spore levels in your home. These kits typically involve placing a petri dish with a growth medium in a specific location for a set period, then sending it to a lab for analysis.
While DIY kits can be a useful starting point, they have limitations. They only provide a snapshot of the air quality at a specific time and location, and they may not identify all types of mold. Professional mold testing is more comprehensive and accurate.
A practical tip for DIY testing is to take multiple samples in different areas of your home, especially in areas where you suspect mold growth. Compare the results to outdoor samples to get a sense of the relative mold spore levels indoors.
One of the biggest challenges in dealing with mold in Asheville is the older housing stock. Many homes were built before modern building codes and may lack proper ventilation or moisture barriers. This makes them more susceptible to mold growth.
Another challenge is the cost of mold remediation. Professional remediation can be expensive, especially for large-scale infestations. However, neglecting mold problems can lead to more serious health issues and structural damage in the long run.
To overcome these challenges, prioritize preventative measures like controlling humidity and fixing leaks. Consider investing in home improvements that improve ventilation and moisture control, such as installing a vapor barrier in your crawl space or upgrading your bathroom exhaust fan.
For real-world application, consider the case of a family in the Kenilworth neighborhood of Asheville. They noticed a musty odor in their basement and started experiencing allergy symptoms. A professional mold inspection revealed significant mold growth behind the drywall, caused by a leaky pipe. The family hired a remediation company to remove the mold and repair the leak. They also installed a dehumidifier and improved ventilation in the basement. As a result, their allergy symptoms improved, and they prevented further mold growth.
Another example is a homeowner in West Asheville who used a DIY mold testing kit and found elevated mold spore levels in their bathroom. They then contacted a professional mold inspector who identified a hidden leak in the shower. The homeowner repaired the leak and cleaned the bathroom with a mold-killing cleaner. They also started using the exhaust fan more frequently to prevent moisture buildup.
Remember, addressing mold problems in Asheville requires a proactive approach. By understanding the connection between humidity, mold growth, and allergy symptoms, and by taking steps to identify and reduce mold exposure, you can create a healthier living environment for yourself and your family. Don’t underestimate the power of prevention and early detection.