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Frequently Asked Mold Questions
10/8/2018 (Permalink)
Image depicts mold affected area after it was sealed, cleaned, and ready for mold spore testing.
According to IICRC S520 “Molds are microorganisms that utilize organic substrates as nutrient sources in the presence of moisture.” Fungi (molds) can find a food source in a variety of common materials in our indoor environment, such as wood, wallpaper, upholstery, and even dust.
Mold is ubiquitous, meaning it is present everywhere all the time. When mold has access to moisture and nutrients, it can grow in large quantities and pose a significant health hazard to humans, potentially causing allergic reactions, severe respiratory problems, brain damage, and even death. Children, in particular, are highly susceptible to mold-related health problems.
Why is mold growing in my home?
- Many different types of mold can typically be found outdoors and are part of the natural environment. They reproduce by means of spores so tiny the human eye can not see them with out substantial magnification. The spores can float through the air and can begin growing if it finds a favorable moist habitat. Any areas in your home that might have elevated moisture levels and/or exposure to mold spores, would be at risk of developing mold growth.
Can mold cause health problems?
- Molds have the potential to cause health problems. Indoors, mold is usually not a problem unless spores are given the opportunity to grow in wet or damp areas.
Why do I need to remove this mold?
- Molds can gradually destroy the things they grow on. You can prevent damage to your home and furnishings, save money, and avoid potential health problems by controlling moisture and eliminating mold growth.
How do I get rid of mold?
- It is almost impossible to get rid of all mold and mold spores indoors (out side of a clean room environment). Some mold spores can be found floating through the air and in house on dust partials. Indoor mold growth can be prevented or controlled by controlling moisture indoors. Mold spores will not grow if moisture is not present. If there is mold growth in your home, you must clean up the mold and fix the moisture issue. If you clean up the mold, but don’t fix the water problem, then, most likely, the mold problem will come back.
Who should do the cleanup?
Who should do the cleanup depends on a number of factors and your personal comfort level. One consideration is the size of the mold problem. If the moldy area is less than about 10 square feet (less than roughly a 3 ft. by 3 ft. patch), in most cases, you can handle the job yourself, or you can call SERVPRO of Bartow County.
If there has been a lot of water damage, and/or mold growth covers more than 10 square feet, we strongly advise you to call a licensed professional like SERVPRO of Bartow County and would encourage you to consult the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guide: Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings.
- If you choose to hire a contractor (or other professional service provider like SERVPRO of Bartow County) to do the cleanup, make sure the contractor has experience cleaning up mold, and check references.
If you suspect that the heating/ventilation/air conditioning (HVAC) system may be contaminated with mold (it is part of an identified moisture problem, for instance, or there is mold near the intake to the system), consult a trusted professional like SERVPRO of Bartow County.
If the water and/or mold damage was caused by sewage or other contaminated water, then call in the professional from SERVPRO of Bartow County who have experience in cleaning and fixing buildings damaged by contaminated water.
If you have health concerns, consult a health professional before starting cleanup.
The primary factor that limits the growth of mold indoors is lack of moisture. Substantial indoor mold growth is generally caused by the presence of moisture inside the building envelope. Moisture can come from rainwater leaking through faulty gutters or a roof in disrepair, from a foundation leak, or even from condensation on windows or pipes. Water also can come from leaks in the plumbing or sewage system inside the structure.
Due to the serious health hazard that mold poses, it is essential after water damage situations that the building structure and contents be dried out as soon as possible Studies of mold growth on building materials, such as plywood, have found that mold grows on materials that remain wet for 48-72 hours.