What is Mold and How Does it Get into Your Home in the Triad?

Molds are a form of fungus. There are many different types, and they can occur both indoors and outdoors. Molds produce spores, which spread by floating around in the air. Mold spores are present in all indoor environments. There is no way to prevent spores, and they can persist in conditions where mold itself cannot grow. Mold spores thrive in environments that are moist and warm, so when they land on a damp spot, they begin to grow. Molds can grow on a variety of different surfaces, including fabric, paper, wood, glass, and plastic. As they grow, they may digest the material they are growing on

Types of Mold

Nobody knows how many kinds of mold there are, but experts estimate that there are 300,000 or more different types. Some are more likely than others to appear in the home. Common indoor molds include:

• Alternaria: This occurs in damp places indoors, such as showers or under leaky sinks.
• Aspergillus: This often grows indoors, on dust, powdery food items, and building materials, such as drywall.
• Cladosporium: This can grow in either cool or warm areas. It tends to appear on fabrics and wood surfaces.
• Penicillium: This tends to grow on materials with water damage. It often has a blue or green appearance.

Molds take a variety of forms and textures. They can be white, black, yellow, blue, or green and often look like discoloration or stain to a surface. They can also have a velvety, fuzzy, or rough appearance, depending on the type of mold and where it is growing.

How Can Mold Get Into Your House?

Mold spores are everywhere, both indoors and outdoors, but they are not visible to the naked eye. Spores can enter the home:

• through the air: They can enter through open windows, doorways, and ventilation systems.
• by attaching to objects or people: Vehicles include clothing, shoes, and pets.

Mold will only flourish if spores land somewhere that has the ideal conditions for growing, such as moisture and a supply of suitable nutrients. If the environment is unsuitable for the spores, they do not usually develop or cause a problem. Places where mold often appears include:

• areas where leakages and flooding have occurred
• windows where condensation builds up
• places where the air does not circulate, for example, behind a closet

Wet cellulose materials are most supportive of mold growth. Examples include:

• paper products, including wallpaper
• cardboard
• ceiling tiles
• wood products
• insulation materials
• upholstery and other fabrics

Mold growth is usually visible and often produces a musty odor. It can damage household items, and it can also have an impact on health Mold’s favorite place to hang out and grow is on organic or porous surfaces. Thriving in moisture-prone areas makes bathrooms and basements an ideal growing environment for mold.  It does however like to hide in areas  behind walls which can make it challenging to identify. While mold can’t grow on non-organic surfaces such as concrete, it may grow on dust or dirt layers on those surfaces. For mold removal and water damage repair services n the Triad area contact SaniBrothersNC or connect with us on Facebook and Instagram.