Identifying Mold Growth

Identifying Mold Growth

Normal levels of mold spores abound the indoor and outdoor air. These levels do not affect a healthy individual, but prolonged exposure to high levels of mold spores cause healthy individuals to develop allergies. Mold exposure also causes serious problems for those who already have skin allergies, allergic rhinitis, asthma or weak immune systems. Mold spores grow on virtually any surface that has moisture. When this happens in the home, the mold spore levels in the air increases. Thus, mold removal is important to safeguard your health even before you show symptoms. Knowing that molds love moisture, identifying mold growth in the home would be relatively easy.

What to look for:

Discoloration on wet or moist surfaces in your home can mean mold growth. Mold contamination is usually gray, black or green fungus growth.

Mold growth smells musty. So, if there’s a room or area of your house that smells musty, mold is growing somewhere in that area.

Water-damaged wood or paper materials in the home such as walls, furniture, books and storage boxes.

One or more family members show signs of mold allergy like sneezing, watery eyes, rashes and migraines is another clue to mold contamination in your home. Note that you can only use this as basis if the allergy symptoms are not attributed to food, pets or exposure to other chemicals.

Discoloration on wet or moist surfaces in your home can mean mold growth. Mold contamination is usually gray, black or green fungus growth.

Mold removal and mold remediation can be done outright once there are health manifestations on the occupants already. Also, the process of mold remediation can be done if there are visible molds already. Once mold removal and mold remediation is already been made, the occupants shall maintain the area to avoid re-growth of molds.

WHERE TO LOOK:

First, look for discoloration in places in your home where there are water sources like your bathrooms and kitchen. In bathrooms, molds grow under the sink, in the tub, on the walls of the shower stall, on the shower curtain, on pipes and anywhere where water or moisture cannot completely dry. In the kitchen, molds can grow under the sink, on counters and in cupboards. Leaking plumbing in these parts of the house promote mold growth.

Next, check areas that may have leaks such as under or behind dishwashers or washing machines. Leaks from these appliances are usually unnoticed and mold grows freely. Other places would be the attic where the roof could leak when it rains or when the snow dries. Ceilings on a story directly below a bathroom or kitchen can grow mold if the plumbing is leaking.

Then, check the heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems and ducts. These areas normally have mold spores and are prone to condensation with the changes in temperature, thus creating a perfect environment for mold growth.

Back side of wallpapers, dry walls, vinyl covers or sidings can have mold growth especially in homes with high indoor humidity that allows condensation to form. Inspect other walls, ceilings and surfaces in the home that are prone to condensation.

When to call an expert:

Perform a thorough ocular inspection of your home and find out if you have mold contamination. Use your sense of smell to detect that musty moldy smell. If you find any sign of mold growth in your home, professional mold removal is imperative. It is best to have mold removal done by an expert to make sure the correct procedure is followed and recurrent mold growth is prevented.

When to call an expert:

Some homeowners or landlords opt to perform their own mold removal and remediation, only to end up doubling their expenses by hiring an expert a short while after their own cleanup. It is best to leave the proper mold removal to the experts, who have been trained and certified in the removal of different species of mold from different building materials. If you do your own mold removal with substandard equipment and the contaminated area is not properly contained chances are the molds would not be properly removed and they will grow again and take you back to square one.

When to call an expert:

REMEX is a company with certified mold removal experts. Mold removal is just among the other services we offer like flood restoration, carpet cleaning and water cleanup. We are an expert on water damage or moisture damage which is the key ingredient in a mold habitat, thus, we know how to eliminate mold at the source.