Mold 101: All You Ever Wanted To Know About Mold In Your Home
“I want mold to begin growing in my house” said NO ONE EVER
Learning as much as you can about the fungi can absolutely help debunk some myths and hopefully spread some much needed light upon the subject. Here, you will find 4 lesser known facts about mold to help keep it out of your life!
Mold is Everywhere
Mold exists everywhere and it has an extremely vital role of helping break down organic matter. Tiny mold spores are everywhere, including in your home. Many molds are harmless, but the problem arises when the spores begin growing in moist areas of your home. Yuck!
There are over 100,000 different types of mold
There are over 100,000 known species of mold. Fortunately most molds are quite happy outside of the home. It’s a fact that not all molds are harmful and some are even used in medicine. However, the mold species found in homes can be harmful. Cladosporium, Aspergillus, Penicillium, Stachybotrys, and Alternaria are common mold types found in buildings.
Mold can grow on many surfaces
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
Mold starts growing in 24 to 48 hours
In the right conditions, mold can grow in as fast as 24-48 hours after a water damage event. The perfect conditions for mold growth are a food source (organic material like drywall), moisture, and an ideal temperature of 77 °F – 88 °F. Thus, water damage remediation is critical to preventing mold growth after a flood.
Painting over mold doesn’t remove it
It’s never a good idea to paint over a mold-infested surface. Mold will eat through the paint and reappear on the wall. Before applying a new coat of paint, you need to completely remove the mold. Choose a mold-resistant type of paint.
Mold can grow on Christmas trees
Mold can also “decorate” your Christmas tree, growing under garlands and lights. All vegetation, including live Christmas trees have mold spores on them. The warmth inside the home and moisture on the tree can trigger mold growth on its branches.
To avoid Christmas tree mold in your home, use artificial trees and decorations. If you prefer live trees, hose them down before bringing them inside to remove mold spores. Don’t keep the tree in your home for too long to prevent mold from developing.
Bleach does not kill mold
Many people use bleach to get rid of mold in their home. The truth is that bleach kills live mold, but not mold spores. What’s more, removing mold with bleach and water can make mold regrow even faster. To remove a small-scale (less than 10 square feet) mold infestation, use a mix of household detergent and water.
Insurance policies often do not cover mold
Most homeowners insurance policies cover mold damage only in certain situations. If mold arises after accidents like fire, lightning or sudden water issues, then mold remediation is covered. However, you may not have coverage if the source of moisture that caused mold was due to neglected maintenance of the property.
For mold removal and water damage repair services n the Triad area contact SaniBrothersNC or connect with us on Facebook and Instagram.
