10 Things You Should Know About Mold

10 Things You Should Know About Mold

There are a thousand of species of fungi found in the nature including mold. Mold is also a kind of fungus found at various places in nature. In fact outdoor mold is beneficial for environment as it helps to decompose dead organic matter. But what if it starts growing indoors? Is it harmful or not? The answer is yes, it can be very harmful in various ways. It is rightly said that “prevention is better than cure”. Preventing the mold from growing indoors is the best remedy to stay away from it.

Here we are going to tell you some important things you should know about mold.

1.       Mold grows fast

Provided suitable conditions, mold can grow from scratch to too much in a day or two. It just needs three things-

·         Moisture

·         Oxygen

·         Food source

If the moisture or water problem remains undetected and uncorrected for few days, mold can grow to several feet.

2.       Mold can adversely affect your health

Direct or indirect exposure to mold, especially black mold which can be toxic also, can pose severe health effects. Even if you are not allergic, it can strike various symptoms to diseases like-

·         Asthma

·         Pneumonia

·         Flu-like diseases

·         Other respiratory illness

The mold molecules if become air-borne can get inhaled while breathing and can cause chronic sinusitis. In children and sensitive individuals mold has seen to trigger severe health issues.

3.       Where will I find mold in my house?

You may think that your house can not be infected by mold. But sometimes the mold is visible but many a times it remains undetected and keeps growing. It can be found at places where moisture is more likely like –

·         Sink leaks in the kitchen

·         Bathroom

·         Window sills

·         Closets

·         Basements

·         Leak prone ceilings and walls

·         Other crawl places

4.       What type of material is affected by mold?

We know that mold grows easily on dead organic materials. At home it grows easily on painted walls, wood, plaster, grout, fabric, carpet, cardboard and wallpapers, etc.

5.       What are the factors enhancing mold growth?

Now-a-days homes are made such there is lack of ventilation and moisture gets locked inside leading to mold growth. If the home has been flooded mold will start growing quite fast. If you have installed carpet in moisture prone areas, it can also enhance the growth of mold.

6.       Measures to prevent mold growth.

The most important measure to prevent mold growth is control moisture. Fix all the water leakages and reduce humidity in the indoors as far as possible. To reduce moisture increase the sources of ventilation to keep the home dry. Use of air-conditioners, de-humidifiers and exhaust fans while cooking and cleaning can prevent mold growth to a great extent. Adding insulation to prevent condensation can also solve the problem.

7.       If left untreated for long mold can cause disasters.

Mold should not be taken lightly. If it gets food regularly, it will keep growing and may cause serious damage to your property. This may reduce the value of your property in the market.

8.       Can I clean up the mold myself?

The answer to this question depends upon the severity of the problem. If the mold is in an area less than 10 square feet you can try to clean it up yourself else you must contact a professional.

9.       How do I get rid of mold?

If the mold has spread to a larger portion, you must contact a good mold removal company. Hire an experienced contractor and make sure that he follows all the recommendations while completing his task.

If your family has also experienced health issues due to mold, first contact a health professional and then start the clean-up process.

10.   Is the process costly?

The last but most important question is that how much cost is associated with mold clean-up. Well, the cost depends upon the area and type of mold infection. It can range from few thousand dollars to a much higher price.