Mold is a type of fungus that lives almost everywhere there is moisture, oxygen, and organic matter. Mold helps nature to decompose organic material. However, mold found indoors can cause health problems, as well as structural problems to buildings.

Mold releases very tiny mold spores into the air. Since mold spores are airborne, all homes have mold spores, but some more than others. Mold grows in homes when the requirements of mold growth are present. The requirements for mold growth are moisture, a food source (i.e. wood, cardboard, paper facing on drywall, etc.), and time.

Mold growths, or colonies, can start to grow on a damp surface within 24 to 48 hours. They reproduce by spores, that travel through the air. Molds digest organic material, eventually destroying the material they grow on, and then spread to destroy adjacent organic material.

Mold commonly grows in areas that are prone to moisture, such as the basement, bathroom, laundry room, and kitchen.  However, mold can also grow in hidden areas of the home, such as behind walls, under the floor, in the air conditioning system, and in the crawl space or in the attic.

Larger patches of mold growth in homes can cause health issues and structural damage. Signs of mold in homes include a musty odor and the visible black or white specks in areas of your home that have a water problem.

When mold is disturbed, it releases spores in the indoor air that you breathe. Other forms of exposure include touching the mold or moldy items, eating moldy food, and hand-to-mouth contact. If there is mold growing in your home, you can be exposed to it.

Exposure to mold can cause a variety of symptoms. Some may exhibit allergy symptoms, such as sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, coughing, itchy eyes, wheezing, and skin irritation. Mold exposure can also cause asthmatic symptoms that include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness.

When you suspect mold is growing in your home, you don’t have to know which type of mold it is, but you should have it removed as soon as possible. A mold test is not necessary if you have noticed signs of mold growth in your home.

Although it is always better to hire a certified mold removal company, you might be able to remove small patches of mold yourself IF is smaller than 10 square feet (the size of one sheet of plyboard). The EPA recommends that mold growth that is greater than 10 square feet be treated by a qualified professional. It is important to make sure the mold remediator that is doing the job follows EPA guidelines.

Removing mold efficiently is harder than most people think. First, you have to identify the water intrusion and fix the leak, secondly, full HAZMAT protective clothing and gear is necessary to reduce exposure to mold. Then you need to isolate the mold so that it does not spread to other rooms. Commercial grade, EPA approved, and regulated products are needed for any mold remediation.

Preventing mold requires fixing moisture problems in your home. Repair leaks in the walls, roof, gutters, and plumbing pipes; keep indoor humidity at 30-50% by using a dehumidifier, ventilate appliances that generate moisture, and keep the gutter system clean.