Mold is Present Almost Everywhere

3/2/2018 (Permalink)

Mold growing on wood in a home in Tuckerton, NJ before the mold remediation process.

Mold is present almost everywhere, both indoors and outdoors, year round, which is not necessarily a bad thing. They are a necessary part of our environment that play a key role in the breakdown of organic materials and recycle nutrients back through our ecosystem.

Airborne mold spores float around inside our homes are simply a fact of our daily life and are normally not harmful. They only becomes harmful or bad when they enter our indoor environment and begin to grow on sustainable food sources that could potentially affect the air with an elevated level of mold spores.

Some examples of sustainable food sources are:

• Drywall
• Wood
• Carpeting or rugs
• Furniture
• Insulation

Indoors, mold needs moisture to grow and becomes a problem where there is water damage, elevated, prolonged or excessive humidity or dampness. They grow best in warm, damp, and humid conditions. Mold growth can start to grow on a damp surface within 24 to 48 hours and will digest organic material, eventually destroying the material they grow on.

Some people are unaware that molds can be many colors including white, green, orange or blue and not just black or grey. Color has no bearing on whether it is dangerous or not and not all black, brown, grey, or white spots are mold. When unsure, it is best to have a professional evaluate the situation.

The best practice is to remediate the mold at the source and work to prevent future growth. The key to preventing and stopping mold growth is to control excessive moisture and condensation. Removing the mold without fixing the water problem will usually result in the mold coming back. Keeping susceptible areas in the home clean and dry is critical. In cases dealing with humidity, use an air conditioner or a dehumidifier during humid months. Humidity levels change with changes in the moisture in the air and the air temperature, so they will need to regularly monitored. Be sure the home has adequate ventilation, including exhaust fans.

SERVPRO of Point Pleasant knows that every mold infestation is different, from the amount of mold to the types of materials affected. Each scenario requires a unique solution, but the general process stays the same. We are locally owned and operated, and proud to provide mold remediation services in our local communities.

If You See Signs of Mold, 
Call us today at (732)349-9898.