Frequently Asked Questions About Mold From the Water Damage Team

What is mold?
Mold is a fungus which grows on plants and fibers wherever it can get what it needs- moisture. It travels in spores, feeding and living off of moisture and dampness. Mold can grow just about anywhere in your home where there is enough moisture, your bathroom or kitchen are the perfect place for mold to inhabit.

What is toxic mold?
Toxic mold is actually a misleading term, as mold itself is not necessarily toxic. It is actually the mycotoxins found in some molds that are harmful to your health. What people call “toxic mold” is actually a black mold that can grow in your walls not always noticeably, and eventually be bad for your health.

What causes mold?
Mold is caused by large amounts of moisture in fibers or the air. For example, any leak left untreated in your wall, or any flooded carpet that is not properly dryed, could case mold to grow.

How can mold growth be prevented?
By performing routine checks of your home, especially rooms with a lot of water pipes, for leaks you’re already half way to preventing water damage. Also make sure to check your attic spaces, basement, and outside the home on a yearly basis for leaks as well.

What health problems can mold exposure cause?
Very short exposure to mold is pretty much harmless besides some mild allergy-like irritation. Eventually, mold exposure can lead to more serious health problems like bleeding in the lungs, so immediate attention to mold cleanup is essential.

What symptoms point to mold-induced health problems?
Allergy-like symptoms are the first sign of a sickness caused by mold. Sneezing, coughing, and itchy eyes are all recognizable this way. Also, people with asthma will be much more prone to asthma attacks when around dangerous mold spores for too long.

How do you tell if you have a mold problem?
You should be able to smell, see, or feel mold. Sporadic, uncommon allergy symptoms could be one sign of mold. Mold has a very distinguishable musty smell, which should be strongest right at the source. If your hallway smells musty all the time and you don’t know why, you may want to call a mold removal specialist.

How do I get rid of mold?
Removing small amounts of mold on your own is fine with some hot water and soap. However a professional should deal with serious mold problems, because you may not get it all, and the remaining spores could grow and affect your health.

Do I need to have a routine mold check-up?
A routine mold check on your home is a very smart thing to do. Mold could grow inside your walls, and if not caught in time cause thousands of dollars in damage. Doing a check-up yourself every few months will keep you ahead of the game even more, and properly protect your home and investments.