The Hidden Health Threat in Southern Utah Homes: A Growing Mold Problem
In St. George, Utah, a concerning trend has emerged among home restoration companies: an alarming rise in mold cases. Edge Restoration, a local company, has witnessed a nearly threefold increase in mold incidents this year alone. Jacob Beynon, an employee at Edge, recently worked on two homes with black mold, highlighting the severity of the issue.
"It starts small, just a few spots that are easy to manage," Beynon explained. "But if left untreated for months, mold can spread rapidly, impacting a large area and posing serious health risks."
Service King Restoration, another company in the area, attributes the steady growth in mold cases to increased time spent at home, stricter building codes, and heightened public awareness. The root cause, according to Derek McDonald, the owner of Service King, is water damage. "When water damage occurs, there are fewer places for the moisture to evaporate, leading to mold growth. Most homes have experienced some form of water event."
Desai Madrigal, a home inspector, added that mold can arise from any source of moisture, including water, rain, backups, and floods, even in dry climates. Often, the problem stems from a busted pipe or a leak in appliances.
Both companies emphasized that homes with consistent leaking or those left untreated are the most concerning. This has led to some homeowners feeling unwell without understanding the cause. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warns that mold in homes can lead to feverish symptoms, asthma attacks, and bodily irritations.
Mold testing is not a standard part of home inspections, and Madrigal estimates that he encounters mold in about 10% of the homes he inspects. "The worst cases are typically rentals," he said. "Landlords may neglect to fix issues or pay attention to them."
McDonald advised renters to have open conversations with landlords about the history of the house, as water damage can be hidden and painted over. Additionally, air tests may not detect mold trapped within walls.
"If you don't know where the mold is, it's like searching for a ghost," McDonald said. "It's challenging to know where to begin."
All three sources emphasized the importance of early detection. Even if a water stain appears dry, it often requires multiple days of dehumidifier treatment to return to its original state.
"Many people are unaware of the scale of this issue and its impact on personal health," Beynon said.
And this is the part most people miss: mold can be a silent health hazard, lurking in the walls and affecting your well-being. It's a controversial topic, as some may argue that mold is a natural occurrence, but the potential health consequences cannot be ignored. What are your thoughts on this growing issue? Do you think more should be done to address mold in homes?
