10 Mold Facts You Need to Know
Would you consider yourself a household mold expert? Do you currently have mold in your home but don’t know how to get rid of it? Would you be able to spot a mold-prone situation to ward it off before it gets out of control? Mold can be a tricky household problem if you don’t know much about it; household mold can appear just about anywhere. Read these ten mold facts and you’ll be armed with the information you need to recognize the warning signs and stop household mold dead in its tracks.
-
It’s all about moisture. Mold can’t grow in dry climates, so if you took a shower and didn’t use an exhaust fan, or spilled something on your carpet and didn’t adequately soak it up and dry it, you could be asking for trouble.
-
Two days is all it takes. Materials that stay damp or wet for over 48 hours provide plenty of time for mold to start growing and creating a problem.
-
You don’t need to be "tested" for mold. Unlike radon, which requires testing in the home due to its unnoticeable properties as a colorless, odorless and flavorless gas, mold requires no special testing to find out if you have it. Generally if you have an overgrowth, you’ll know! Testing can be performed if you’re unsure, but it can be expensive and the warning signs of visible colonies, ‘water damage’, and musty odors are generally enough to indicate a problem.
-
You might get sick or you might not. Mold can cause drastically varying reactions in different people depending on their sensitivity and predisposition for mold allergies and reactions. Some people may get bronchial infections or asthma attacks where others remain completely unaffected. This difference is what has made it difficult to devise safety regulations concerning mold growth.
-
Not all black mold is ‘black mold’. Remember that nasty picture from one of our previous mold posts? That was toxic "black mold", Stachybotrys chartarum. It’s known for causing respiratory problems and other serious reactions due to overexposure. Many molds may appear to be black or otherwise dark in color, but not all are technically this dangerous black mold.
Are you ready to take action against mold in your home or apartment? If so, find some solutions that can prevent you from having a mold problem for as little as $54.95.
Continue this entry below to read the rest of the list!
-
Sometimes you need to throw it out. If porous or fabric surfaces have been soaked in a flood or otherwise damaged by water, it’s often best to dispose of them. Glass or plastic can be saved with a thorough cleaning.
-
Clean it up. For some mold, you may be able to clean it relatively easily by scrubbing with non-bleach soap, rinsing thoroughly with water and allowing to air dry. After the area is dry, mix a 1/2 cup of bleach per gallon of water solution and disinfect the surfaces where the mold previously was, allowing to thoroughly air dry in order to prevent regrowth.
-
Ventilation is important. Whether you’re cleaning up a moldy area, or trying to prevent mold in the first place, little is more important than adequate ventilation to ensure reduced humidity and clean exchanges of air.
-
Just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean it’s not there. It is possible for mold to grow inside the walls of your house near leaky pipes or other humid areas. If you are showing signs of allergic reactions, it may be a good idea to look into what’s between your walls as well as what’s on them.
-
All mold is not created equal. Though you are eating mold in foods like blue cheese, this does not mean that all molds are safe. Even if one part of a piece of fruit is moldy, it is generally unsafe to cut it away and eat the rest. The best policy to go by is if you’re not sure, don’t eat it!
Thanks to these great resources for providing some of the know-how behind this post:
