9 Things You Need to Know About Mold Remediation

While mold is found everywhere in nature, when certain toxic species are found in your home it can cause structural damage and pose a risk to home occupants’ health. It’s important for every home and business owner to understand these basic mold facts so that they can better protect themselves.

1. Mold Requires Moisture and Organic Materials

Mold’s purpose in nature is to help decompose dead organic material. Warm and humid conditions are where it can best accomplish that. So, bathrooms, kitchens, or any other area with regular moisture and some household building materials are ideal for mold to thrive. Wood, drywall, leather, fabric, paint, insulation, or carpet can all provide breeding grounds for mold.

2. Mold Can Cause Various Health Problems

Prolonged exposure to mold can cause all sorts of significant health issues. Some of those health issues may be minor, like sneezing, congestion, coughing, or a runny nose. It could also cause itchy skin or eyes. But toxic mold can be responsible for more serious symptoms too, including: chronic fatigue or headaches, joint pain, dizziness, asthma, lung inflammation, or joint pain.

3. It Can Be Complex to Get Rid Of

Mold can be found under household surfaces and in areas that are extremely challenging to get rid of. It can spread quickly from building materials to personal possessions. The only real way to remove mold completely is to replace affected items, which becomes costly.

Most household cleaners are not strong enough to remove mold completely. Paint only hides the issue. Bleach may kill spores, but those dead spores may still be toxic. Professional remediation services are really the only – and best way to get rid of spores.

4. Mold is Preventable

The good news is that mold growth in your home is preventable with just a few practical steps. Creating good air circulation, keeping humidity low, making sure your living space is in good repair, regular inspection of the area, and removing already affected materials can all make a significant difference in mold prevention and reduction.

5. Not All Mold is Bad

There are thousands of species of mold, and only a handful are toxic and grow in indoor environments. Molds break down organic materials in nature. They also serve useful purposes in some medications, and some are used to make cheese.

6. Indoor Humidity Should Be Between 30 and 60 Percent to Prevent Mold

You can achieve this level of humidity through venting bathrooms and dryers to the outside, and using air conditioners and dehumidifiers. When the humidity is lower, you can use fans or open windows. Exhaust fans in the kitchen when you are cooking or even washing the dishes can help.

7. Viable vs. Non-Viable Mold

Mold species can be broken into two categories, viable and non-viable. Viable mold is live mold with active growth. Mold needs a food and water source to remain in a viable state and survive. Non-viable mold has lost its water or food source and has gone dormant. It won’t continue to spread and cannot cause further damage to your property. When mold enters the non-viable state however, it can give off mold spores and spread at an accelerated rate. These mold spores have the same health effects on humans as if the mold were alive.

8. Mold Can Grow On Anything

Unfortunately for property owners, mold can grow virtually anywhere. We hear about it frequently from hidden moisture sources in bathrooms or kitchens. It can linger beneath the drywall, unseen. But mold can grow on paper, carpet, food, flooring, metals, plastics, leather, and all sorts of other common household locations. It’s important to remain vigilant.

9. Water and Flood Damage Isn’t the Only Way Mold Growth Starts

Sure, leaks and floods cause a lot of mold growth. But more than half of all growth begins with the combination of high humidity and lack of ventilation. The bathroom for example tends to remain high in humidity without strong air flow. Opening windows periodically to increase air flow within the home is a great way to reduce this problem.

Are You Looking to Hire a Mold Remediation Company in the Maryland Area?

If you are suspicious of mold in your Maryland-area home, it’s important to act fast. Mold growth can occur at an alarmingly fast rate. Contact We Restoration today!‍