Have you noticed your allergies acting up this past fall? Many Chicagoland residents have experienced allergies on a whole new level – even on a dangerous level – as a result of the humidity that flourished as Chicago and all surrounding suburbs made the transfer from sunny to snowy. Clogged sinuses, coughing, and sneezing were commonplace, and Dr. Joseph Leija figured out why.
At the Gottlieb Memorial Hospital in Melrose Park, Dr. Leija uses the following scale for mold and air quality: zero to 6,500 mold spores per cubic meter is “low”, 6,500 to 13,000 is “moderate”, 13,000 to 50,000 is “high”, and anything over 50,000 is “very high”. When Dr. Leija took a reading in early September of this year, he found a staggering 76,000 mold spores per cubic meter. It’s no wonder Chicago residents (as well as residents in Skokie, Aurora, Joliet, Waukegan and other surrounding suburbs) have felt elevated allergy symptoms this fall.
The high levels of mold in the air passed with the humidity this past fall; however, mold colonization can have lasting effects, and remediation and recovery will be necessary for many Chicagoland residents. may have lasting effects. The high humidity combined with flooding of some Chicagoland homes have put houses at risk for extreme mold infections. In winter, mold loves to colonize warm houses – and it flourishes.
If you suspect your home or business may be infected, get an inspection before the grueling winter. If mold is a reoccurring problem in your home, taking small steps to prevention during the winter months can make all the difference.
To prevent mold in the winter, make sure that your home has good circulation – specifically in areas like the bathroom, basement, and attic. This will help to dry out key areas that are otherwise free to stew in moisture. In addition, if you see condensation on your windows, walls, or pipes, it is necessary to act quickly and dry out the area to prevent mold growth.
If you’re finding that the mold infiltration into your home or business is extreme, consider investing in a dehumidifier, and aim to keep indoor humidity levels between 35% and 40%, and certainly no greater than 60%.
Undeniably, if you suspect you have mold, the first step is to give us a call and schedule your appointment for mold inspection, remediation, and removal. Together, we’ll make sure that your home remains safe and mold free.
