Mold growth is a recurring issue for property owners. While most mold species are harmless, some can cause material and structural property damage. Mold can also be a health hazard and give rise to a variety of allergies and respiratory conditions.
How much do you know about mold? The mold remediation experts at ServiceMaster by Reed have compiled 21 facts about mold everyone needs to know.
- 1. The most common types of indoor mold are Alternaria, Aspergillus, Cladosporium and Penicillium.
- 2. Mold thrives on moisture, growing in damp areas indoors like basements, bathrooms and behind drywall after a water damage incident.
- 3. Mildew is a powdery, white-gray substance that can appear on the leaves of plants (an early stage of mold).
- 4. Mildew can easily grow on books, cardboard and fabrics. To reduce the risk of mold development, use water-resistant containers for storing old clothes and other items instead of cardboard boxes.
- 5. Most of the time, mildew can be brushed off fabrics like clothing and curtains.
- 6. Mold found in homes typically appears brownish-green, black, greenish-gray and gray.
- 7. Mold is a fungus propagated by spores, acting as seeds to create new colonies.
- 8. Some molds can be toxic and cause health problems when their spores are inhaled. People most susceptible to mold-related health issues are those with allergies, asthmatic persons, children, pregnant women, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems or existing respiratory ailments. It is important to call a mold remediation professional immediately.
- 9. Exposure to mold and its spores may cause coughs, headaches, fevers, wheezing and flu-like symptoms. Mold can trigger asthma attacks.
- 10. Stachybotrys chartarum, also called "toxic mold" or "black mold", appears as a greenish-black spot which grows in an area that has suffered heavy water damage. It requires professional mold remediation.
- 11. Mold growing on a shower curtain or in tile grout around a tub can be removed by a homeowner. Using bleach to remove mold must only be done in a well-ventilated room. Also, check if bleach etches the affected tile before using it to clean the area surrounding the tub.
- 12. Adequate ventilation, such as running a fan, can help reduce mold growth. In the bathroom, promote ventilation by opening glass shower doors. Keep shower curtains open to dry completely to prevent mold growth.
- 13. If a musty odor is observed in the basement, mold may be growing. Check for signs of water damage, such as leaks.
- 14. If a musty odor is present in your home, it is crucial to find the source of the smell or to locate the mold as soon as possible.
- 15. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not recommend mold sampling or testing for mold growth in residential homes.
- 16. Minimize mold growth by keeping indoor humidity levels below 45 percent.
- 17. High humidity levels in the home indicates the presence of condensation of moisture on walls, windows and other hard surfaces. This increases the possibility of mold growth.
- 18. Mold can grow in as little as 24 to 48 hours after a water damage incident.
- 19. Mold can develop in hidden areas, such as on carpet padding, behind drywall, within insulation and even throughout the HVAC system.
- 20. To reduce the potential for mold growth, add mold-inhibitors to paint before painting.
- 20. To reduce the potential for mold growth, add mold-inhibitors to paint before painting.
- 21. For safe and effective mold removal, contact ServiceMaster by Reed for mold remediation.
Common Types of Mold Indoors
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mold is a fungus that can be found indoors and outdoors, thriving in damp, humid and warm environments. The most common types of mold found indoors are:
Alternaria
- Alternaria commonly thrives on outdoor vegetation, but a study conducted by the National Survey of Lead and Allergens in Housing found Alternaria in more than 90% of house dust samples.
- Alternaria finds its way indoors through windows and doors and grows on damp or moist surfaces.
- This mold is an allergen that can trigger asthma attacks.
Aspergillus
- Aspergillus can grow indoors and outdoors in warm, moist places.
- Aspergillus is a health concern for immunocompromised individuals, although its spores are harmless to most people.
- Aspergillus causes a respiratory condition called Aspergillosis, which can affect anyone with a weakened immune system, lung diseases or other respiratory illnesses.
Cladosporium
- Cladosporium is a pathogenic fungus growing on plants outdoors, but it can also grow indoors in areas with high moisture levels.
- This mold can grow on surfaces such as carpets, walls or woodwork that have experienced water damage.
- Cladosporium can trigger allergies, asthmatic reactions and eye, brain, skin and sinus infections.
Penicillium
- Penicillium appears as a fuzzy, greenish-gray spot on fruits and produce. Indoors, it can grow on surfaces like carpets, draperies, rugs and wallpaper.
- Penicillium grows in warm, moist conditions and may thrive in areas that have experienced water damage or have moisture issues.
Stachybotrys
- Also known as "black" mold, Stachybotrys can produce mycotoxins that can lead to serious health issues such as breathing difficulties and other respiratory problems.
- Stachybotrys is a dangerous mold and must be removed only by a professional mold remediation company.
Minor mold growth in bathrooms, basements and other areas of your home can be removed without damage to the affected surface. However, when the mold problem escalates, this would require professional intervention.
Health Risks of Mold
- Allergies and allergic reactions
- Asthma attacks
- Eye, nose, throat, and skin irritations
- Diminished lung function (with extended mold exposure)
- Flu-like symptoms like headache, fever, cough and wheezing
Structural Damage from Mold Growth
Mold growth can affect and compromise the structural integrity of a building. The mold Serpula lacrymans, typically found in wood, is a troublesome fungus that causes decay to wood building materials. Also called “dry rot”, this fungus can cause extensive damage depending on its amount, location and length of time present. Unattended damage from mold can compromise a structure and require expensive repairs or replacements.
Why is Air Quality Testing Recommended?
Mold inspectors may recommend an air quality test to determine the type of mold growing in your structure and the degree of infestation. Moreover, whatever the type of mold present, the CDC recommends that mold should be removed immediately to prevent future growth.
If you do decide to pay for environmental sampling for molds, before the work starts, you should ask the consultants who will do the work to establish criteria for interpreting the test results. They should tell you in advance what they will do or what recommendations they will make based on the sampling results. The results of samples taken in your unique situation cannot be interpreted without physical inspection of the contaminated area or without considering the building’s characteristics and the factors that led to the present condition.
Mold May Be Causing Your Christmas Tree Allergy
Researchers from St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Connecticut have discovered that a fresh Christmas tree can raise the mold level in a room by as much as five times their normal levels. Tree mold in Christmas trees may trigger or cause the following:
- Eye, nose and throat irritation
- Headaches
- Sneezing
- Runny nose and/or nasal congestion
- Wheezing/difficulty breathing
If you’re using a live tree as decoration this holiday season, give it a thorough shake before bringing it indoors to reduce the presence of tree mold. To lessen exposure to allergens, keep a live tree up for at most one week. An alternative option is to utilize an artificial tree or to buy a live, potted tree.
Need Mold Removal? Contact ServiceMaster by Reed Today.
Looking for immediate mold remediation services in Dothan, Alabama and the surrounding areas? ServiceMaster by Reed offers 24-hour emergency mold removal and remediation services at (334) 712-1118. Visit us at 2830 Horace Shepard Road, Suite 1, Dothan, AL 36303 or connect with us online to schedule mold removal and remediation services today.
- Certified by the IICRC
- Preferred vendor for the largest insurance companies in Alabama
- State-of-the-art equipment and cleaning products
Don’t know what to do next? We do. Contact ServiceMaster by Reed of Dothan, AL today.
An independent franchise business licensed to serve you by ServiceMaster Restore®.