1. In our outdoor environment, mold plays a vital role in breaking down dead or decaying material and recycling it for use by plants and animals. Mold is a fungi, not a plant, so it requires only water, warm temperatures and an organic food source to grow. It does not need sunlight.
2. Mold spores are microscopic particles that are always in the air looking for a place to grow. We are all exposed to them as we carry them indoors on our clothes and they continuously float in and out of our homes when we open the doors.
3. Indoors, mold spores find suitable places to grow that have water or moisture and organic material, such as wood, paper, fabric, food and others. If they find a surface that is not conducive to growth, it will go dormant until the right conditions are present.
4. Mold growth is rapid and within 12 to 24 hours of finding a home, the spores have begun to produce mold growth.
5. Mold growth can be visible on walls, ceilings, and other places, but it can also be growing in places that you cannot see, such as in the ceiling, behind the walls, and under the flooring. Common examples of this are roof leaks, AC condensate leaks, and plumbing leaks.
6. Mold growth produces more spores which become airborne and can affect the indoor air quality of the home. Often, this is not detected until the problem is bad enough to create noticeable health problems.
7. Cleaning mold requires removing it from the material, not just on a surface level. Remove the source of the water or moisture. Never use bleach to clean mold or mildew. It will only bleach the color out but it will not kill it, and the mold will return.
8. Depending on the severity, an area less than 10 square feet can be cleaned using Hyrogen-Peroxide. If the area is larger or the growth is substantial, a mold inspection specialist may be required. Certified specialists will identify, assess and recommend procedures for proper removal.
9. Mold can impact the quality of your indoor air. Children, older adults and those with respiratory problems or immune deficiencies are at the highest risk. Look for water stains on walls, ceilings, floors, carpets, inside cabinets, etc. Check around windows and on the back of drapes where condensation is possible. Bathrooms, laundry rooms, basements and crawl spaces are common areas for moisture and mold growth. If there is a moldy or musty odor, that is an indicator.
10. Prevention is the best remedy. Clean up water leaks quickly and dry thoroughly. Turn on the fan in bathrooms 10 minutes before and after showering. Make sure that basements and crawl spaces are properly ventilated and that water is not being absorbed at the foundation on the outside. Check windows and doors for proper insulation and caulking. Regular maintenance of roofing, siding, gutters, vents, ducts, and other household areas will minimize the likelihood of mold problems. And should you have a problem, call a certified mold inspector to assess the situation.
If you think you have a mold problem, you need an expert.
Smith Environmental Solutions Inc is in the business of assessing and improving Indoor Air Quality. For 11 years, Daniel Smith, Certified Mold Inspector and Certified Indoor Air Quality Specialist, has personally inspected, tested and analyzed air samples in over 3000 combined homes and businesses across the Carolinas. Our clients have entrusted us to determine the severity of their air quality as it relates to mold and other common indoor related allergens, and provide solutions.
Note: Information in this article is not intended to give legal or medical advice. The content provided by SES is based on industry approved education and training, professional certifications in mold testing and indoor air quality, and years of experience in scientific mold inspection, testing, and assessment and is intended for general informational purposes only.
