During the spring and summer months, your home is vulnerable to an invasion by a pretty common type of pest that can cause property damage and negative health effects such as allergies and infection. We are not referring to insects and animals (though pests of this nature can cause these problems and much more), we are talking about another common home invader; mold. Mold is a fungus that can grow anywhere in your home under the right conditions and it damages the surfaces it grows on while greatly increasing the risk of certain health effects caused by mold exposure. Moisture is one of the main resources needed for mold to grow which is why mold growth is more likely during the more humid conditions of the spring and summer.
Mold in your home can be a serious issue because of the health problems it could cause and sometimes mold grows in hidden places where it can spread and cause extensive damage before it is even discovered. The presence of mold should never be taken lightly and actions to stop the growth should be taken immediately. This guide discusses important information that you should know about mold and what actions to take to stop mold growth once it has started.
Important Information about Mold
There are somewhere around 100,000 different species of mold that come from various organic sources and it can be found anywhere as a naturally occurring part of the decay process. Each species of mold however needs the same resources to grow which include humidity or moisture, oxygen, and an organic food source like cellulose which can be found in common building materials such as wood, drywall, wallpaper, and upholstery. Once mold starts growing, it produces mold spores which are airborne microscopic reproductive cells that can spread mold growth by traveling through the air. These spores have the capability to survive dormant in unfavorable conditions for a long time until they meet the right conditions to start growing.
The Effects of Mold Growth
At the very least, mold growth is unsightly and it can also cause a musty odor that can make your home uncomfortable and unhealthy. The role that mold plays in the natural decay process means that any surface it grows on will become completely destroyed if it is not removed fast enough. The worst potential effects of long term mold exposure however are the negative health effects. People can become exposed to mold through ingestion, inhalation, or direct contact and the health effects range from allergic reactions to respiratory infections depending on the type of mold and the individual. You can read our list of specific mold species and the health problems associated with each type on our mold remediation page.
Stopping Mold Growth
Because mold is so dependent on moisture to grow, keeping your home dry and the humidity low is a great way to prevent mold growth, but not a complete guarantee of prevention. If mold growth does occur, time is of the essence because it can destroy your property with organic decay and the risk of negative health effects will only increase the longer it is left to grow. It is usually best to contact a mold remediation professional because mold is difficult to remove and cleaning it alone is not enough, the area needs to be decontaminated as well to prevent future mold growth and further health problems. Mold remediation specialists have the training and equipment to remove mold without allowing it to spread, decontaminate the surfaces it affected, and test to ensure that there is no hidden mold or the potential for regrowth.
So as we head into the typical humid summer months, make sure to routinely check your home for mold, especially in dark and damp areas, and contact a professional for mold remediation if you discover significant growth. ServiceMaster AAA provides mold remediation services for Huntington Beach, CA 92647 as well as the towns of L.A. and Orange counties, California. Their services include mold inspection, removal, decontamination, and testing.
Contact RestorationMaster as soon as you discover mold in your home to have our trained professionals assess the situation.
