If you haven’t ever had to deal with mold growth in your home, it’s most likely never been top of mind. Mold is a fickle organism that can be very hard to get rid of and sometimes very hard to identify in general.
One of the most famous quotes from The Art of War is “to know your enemy you must become your enemy” and not to get all dramatic on you, but this can easily apply to mold growth too. In order to remediate any sort of mold growth problem, you first need to understand how mold works.
Mold Growth Basics
First things first, mold is everywhere. There is never going to be a way to eliminate every mold spore in and around your home because it just isn’t possible. Mold is a natural growing organism that is present outside as well as inside. The problem with mold presents itself when the spore count becomes too high.
Because mold can grow so quickly, it can spread throughout our home without us even being aware. Mold spores are microscopic and not visible to the human eye. They thrive on water and even the tiniest bit of moisture is enough for mold spores to grow. As long as they have a feeding source as well and they’re good to go.
What Does Mold Eat?
Unfortunately for us, mold has a wide range of tastes and there isn’t much this organism doesn’t like to munch. It will feed on everything from the wooden beams in your attic to the carpet in your living room to the cardboard storage boxes you have in your basement. Any item with cellulose is going to attract mold growth if there’s a moisture source to go along with it.
With such an easy to please palate, keeping your home free of mold approved snacks is virtually impossible. This is why you have to focus on the moisture aspect instead, which is what I’m addressing next.
Mold Growth and Moisture
Mold spores travel in a variety of different ways. They have the ability to float through the air, they can stick to our clothes and can even make their way into our home through air vents and duct work. However, they’re not going to make themselves at home unless they have a source of moisture.
If mold growth is a concern for you, take a look at any possible way moisture could be making its way into your home. This can be from a faulty HVAC systems with overfilled drip pans, holes or cracks in your roof or foundation where rain and snow can make sneak inside, to even poorly working ventilation systems that don’t regulate the air as they should. All of these are very common ways for moisture levels to rise inside a home. Before you can address the mold problem, you have to address the moisture issue.
Once you dry out your house, you then begin to focus on the mold remediation process.
Spotting Mold in Your Home
I mentioned earlier than mold can be quite hard to find because a) it starts out as invisible to the naked eye and b) typically likes to grow in dark areas such as cracks and crevices in your basement or behind structural beams in your attic.
However, one of the telltale signs of mold growth is a strong, musty odor. Mold gives off a very unique smell and if you’ve noticed this in your home, there’s a very high chance you have a mold problem on your hands.
Before you panic and consider moving, keep on reading.
Professional Mold Remediation Services
You’re in the right spot on the internet if mold growth has become a concern for you. Our team of trained professionals will answer all of your questions and help get you and your house back in order. We know each mold growth problem is different and that’s why we devise plans that are unique to each individual. If you suspect you have mold in your home, contact us. We’re ready to get you back into a healthier home as soon as possible!
Photo by Denise Johnson on Unsplash
