What is mold?
According to the CDC, mold is a fungal growth that forms and spreads on various kinds of damp or decaying organic matter. There are many different mold species, and they come in many different colors. Molds are sometimes referred to as mildew. They are found indoors and outdoors in all climates during all seasons of the year.
Outdoors, mold survives by using plants and decaying organic matter, such as fallen leaves, as a source of nutrition. To grow indoors, mold needs moisture and a carbon source from building materials like drywall and fiberboard.
Excess moisture is generally the cause of indoor mold growth. Mold reproduces by releasing tiny spores that float through the air until landing in other locations. The spores can form new mold colonies when they settle on wet or moist surfaces. Moderate temperatures and available nutrient sources make your home and most office buildings ideal for mold growth. No indoor space is entirely free from mold spores – not even a surgical operating room. Mold is everywhere, making our exposure to it unavoidable, indoors or outdoors, at home or work.
Mold growth on your property can be dangerous for two reasons. First, when mold starts to grow, it feeds on the materials it is growing on, resulting in irreversible damage to those items. Second, mold releases tiny spores into the air, which can irritate or be the cause of many illnesses. If these are breathed in, they can cause respiratory problems. Stachybotrys chartarum (black mold) is one common form of mold found in properties that can lead to such problems.
Give us a call to determine the type of mold you have and a game plan to get rid of it.