Mold is an unpleasant household issue which can not only cause material and aesthetic damage, but also pose health risks to families, employees, staff and customers due to the allergens and irritants it produces. Fortunately, mold issues are preventable and can be avoided. ServiceMaster by LoveJoy discusses basic facts about mold and how it can be prevented.
What is Mold?
- Mold thrives on organic matter and moisture. It typically occurs in nature but can be a nuisance indoors, developing in damp, moist areas like bathrooms, basements and areas that have recently experienced water damage.
- Mold forms new colonies through its spores.
- A musty smell present in your home is most likely caused by mold due to water damage. It's best to locate it right away.
- To limit mold growth, keep indoor humidity levels below 45 percent. Condensation on hard surfaces, such as windows and walls, is a sign of high humidity, which increases the potential of mold growth.
- Mold can grow in as little as 24 to 48 hours after a water damage event.
- Mold growth can either be obvious or invisible. It can remain hidden behind drywall, within insulation, on carpet padding and even throughout the HVAC system.
- To reduce the likelihood of mold growth, add mold inhibitors to paint before painting.
- Safe and effective mold remediation can only be performed by mold remediation professionals
Most Common Types of Mold in Homes
- Mold thrives on organic matter and moisture. It typically occurs in nature but can be a nuisance indoors, developing in damp, moist areas like bathrooms, basements and areas that have recently experienced water damage.
- Long flask-shaped spores of Aspergillus can create thick layers or walls of the mold. As a result, long chains of mold growth appear on surfaces.
- Aspergillus is an allergenic mold, but it can also be harmful, depending on the species and environment it is exposed to. It can lead to symptoms like asthma attacks, lung infections, and respiratory inflammation.
ACREMONIUM
- Acremonium first starts as a small, moist mold that turns into a fine powdery substance. This mold typically grows in humidifiers, cooling coils, drain pans, and window sealants.
- Acremonium is often pink, grey, orange, or white.
CHAETOMIUM
- Chaetomium is a mold that is usually found in homes and structures that have been flooded. This mold is most commonly discovered in a damp or leaking roof, cellar, or sink, and has a musty smell.
- Chaetomium causes health effects such as skin and nail infections.
AUREOBASIDIUM
- This mold can be found growing behind wallpaper, on painted walls or wooden surfaces.
- Aureobasidium is commonly pink, brown, or black in hue. It generally turns a darker brown color as it ages.
- This kind of mold can cause dermatitis or skin rash if directly touched with bare skin.
ALTERNARIA
- Alternaria is the most common form of allergenic mold in the world. It’s a velvet-textured mold with dark green or brown hairs.
- This mold typically grows wherever dampness occurs, like showers, bathtubs, and leaking sinks.
- Alternaria is also a common mold species that appears as a result of water damage to a home or building
How to Reduce Mold Development
Proper ventilation
- Airing out your home is a fantastic technique to keep mold from showing up.
- Because it's not always possible to keep your home well-aired, experts recommend using a dehumidifier.
- Installing vents in your windows is another alternative, though this isn't a good way to avoid mold.
- In the winter, keeping your windows open is unrealistic, but if you can, open them for a few minutes many times a day.
Temperature regulation
- Regulating the temperature of your home will reduce the growth and risk of mold.
- Each area is different, so contact ServiceMaster by LoveJoy for a mold evaluation and maintenance of your home.
Area dry-out
- If mold can’t grow without moisture, then make sure that any water that has developed from leaks, heavy rainfall or a spill are managed quickly.
- Even drying walls and tiles after a shower or bath can help you avoid mold growth.
Dry clothes properly
- Drying clothes is not always practical for people during wet, winter months.
- However, drying clothes on a radiator can cause you problems. The flash increase of moisture in the air will certainly create damp spots in your home.
- It’s best to dry your clothes immediately after washing.
Utilize mold-resistant products
- One of the best ways to prevent mold is to use mold-resistant products during home renovations.
- For example, you can now buy mold-resistant plasterboard and insulation; likewise, paints are available with mold inhibitors.
Worst of all, mold is stubborn. You can spray, scrub and paint over it, but chances are you’ll see it—and smell it—again. That’s why you need a mold remediation expert like Servicemaster by LoveJoy.
We’re a born and bred Conyers team of damp and mold specialists who have made thousands of homes mold-free, from commercial and industrial buildings to apartments, from high-rise buildings to basements.
Contact Us for Mold Removal in Atlanta, Georgia and the Surrounding Areas
Contact us at (678) 293-0297 for Conyers, GA clients or (770) 983-6665 for Roswell, GA customers and we’ll tell you the cause of your mold problem and give you a quote for our recommended treatment before you spend anything! You may also schedule an appointment online.
- Locally owned and operated company with national resources
- IICRC-Certified Firm
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If steps are missed, your house or company may be left with lingering issues, or worse yet, the entire problem returns. Call us now for immediate assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
