Why is Mold Growing in My Home

What exactly is mold?  Mold is a type of fungus. These tiny little organisms can come in all sorts of colors like black, white, green, orange or purple and can live almost anywhere indoors and outside, given they have a wet environment.  Molds thrive on moisture and spread using lightweight spores that can travel through the air.  Everyone is exposed to mold every day which is usually harmless in small amounts.  But when these spores land on a damp spot in your home, they can start to multiple.

Mold Basics

• The key to mold control is moisture control
• If mold is a problem in your home, you should clean up the mold promptly and fix any water or moisture problems.
• It is important to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.

Why is mold growing in my home?  Lets face it, no one wants to see mold growing in there home.  But molds do play a very important role in our natural environment.  As we can see outdoors, molds play a part in breaking down dead organic matter, such as fallen leaves and dead trees.  But of course indoors, we want to avoid mold growth as much as possible.  Mold likes those areas of the home where it is wet or damp, mold thrives in those areas.  One way to avoid mold growth is to keep those trouble areas dry as best as possible.

How do I get rid of mold?  It is impossible to get rid of all mold and mold spores indoors.  Some mold spores can even be found floating through the air and in house dust.  But as stated above mold spores will not grow if moisture is not present.  If there is mold growth in your home, you must clean up the mold and fix the water problem.  If left untreated, a water problem can turn into an even bigger issue.

Tips and Techniques.  Below you will find helpful remedies for mold removal and cleaning.  Professional cleaners or remediators my use methods or products not listed here.  Please note that mold may cause staining and cosmetic damage.  It may not be possible to clean an item to its original appearance.

• Fix plumbing leaks and other water problems as soon as possible.  Dry all items completely.
• Scrub mold off of hard surfaces with detergent and water, dry completely.
•  Absorbent or porous materials, such as ceiling tiles and carpet, may have to be thrown away if they become moldy. Mold can grow on or fill in the empty spaces and crevices of porous materials, so the mold may be difficult or impossible to remove completely.
• Do not paint or caulk over moldy surfaces.  It is always recommended to clean up the mold and dry the surfaces before painting.  There are also specialty mold killing primers on the market that prevent the growth of mold.