Mold Facts That You Probably Didn’t Know
Mold Facts That You Probably Didn’t Know
Nobody wants mold in their house so learning as much as possible about the fungi can help you eliminate and prevent them from your house. Here are eight lesser known facts about mold that will assist you to keep it at bay.
- Mold is everywhere
Mold is present everywhere, having the vital function of helping organic matter decompose. Tiny mold spores are everywhere, also, such as in your home. Many molds are harmless, but the difficulty arises when the fleas begin growing in moist areas of your property.
- There are more than 100,000 Distinct Kinds of mold
There are more than 100,000 known species of mold, the majority of which exist beyond the house. Not all types of mold can cause you to be sick and some are used in medicine. On the other hand, the mold species found in homes can be detrimental. Common mold kinds found in buildings are Cladosporium, Aspergillus, Penicillium, Stachybotrys, and Alternaria.
- Mold can grow on many surfaces
Mold thrives in moisture-prone areas, such as the bathroom or basement, but also hidden areas like behind walls. Mold prefers organic or porous surfaces to grow on. While mold can not grow on non-organic surfaces such as concrete, it can grow on dirt or dust layers on those surfaces.
- Mold starts growing in 24 to 48 hours
In the right conditions, mold can grow in as fast as 24-48 hours after a water damage event. The ideal conditions for mold growth are a food source (organic material like drywall), moisture, and a perfect temperature of 77 °F — 88 °F. Therefore, water damage remediation is critical to preventing mold growth after a flood.
- Painting over mold does not eliminate it
It’s never a good idea to paint within a mold-infested surface. Mold will consume throughout the paint and reappear on the walls. Before applying a fresh coat of paint, you need to completely remove the mold. Choose a mold-resistant kind of paint.
- Mold can grow on Christmas trees
Mold may also “decorate” your own Christmas tree, developing under garlands and lights. All vegetation, such as live Christmas trees has mold spores on them. The warmth inside the house and moisture onto the tree could trigger mold growth on its branches.
To avoid Christmas tree mold in your house, use artificial trees and decorations. If you would rather live trees, hose down them before bringing them indoors to remove mold spores. Don’t keep the tree in your house for too long to prevent mold from growing.
- Bleach does not kill mold
A lot of people use bleach to eliminate mold on their property. The simple truth is that bleach kills reside mold, but not mold spores. What’s more, eliminating mold with bleach and water can make mold regrow even quicker. To remove a small-scale (less than 10 square feet) mold infestation, use a mix of household water and detergent.
- Insurance policies often do not cover mold
Most homeowners insurance policies cover mold damage only in certain scenarios. If mold arises after accidents such as fire, lightning or sudden water difficulties, then mold remediation is coated. But you may not have coverage in the event the source of moisture that caused mold was because of neglected maintenance of their property.
For more information about mold elimination and prevention, take a look at 5 myths about mold spores and how to tell whether you have a mold problem in your home. For mold removal, property damage restoration, and water damage restoration in Louisville, contact your regional PuroClean office.