• Frequent Questions about Water Damage
• Frequent Questions about Carpet Cleaning
Mold Myths
Myth No. 1: Mold grows only on paper, wood and other organic material.
Facts: Mold will grow on any surface, including glass, fiberglass and even steel. Mold needs three things to grow: 1) mold spores, which are always in the air; 2) moisture; and 3) a food source, which can be as simple as household dust. Houses are constructed using a wide variety of organic materials; as a result, the only effective strategy to control mold is to control excessive moisture.
Myth No. 2: Mold can be eliminated.
Facts: Only "clean room" technologies—which are too expensive and unnecessary for the home or office—can eliminate mold spores. Therefore, the only thing you can control in your home or office is moisture. We all benefit from some molds, including the species that led to the development of penicillin. We do not live in sterile conditions and mold will always be with us. However, excessive mold growth inside of a home or office can be identified, treated and controlled and brought back into background levels.
Myth No. 3: Mold is the only moisture control issue of concern.
Facts: While excessive moisture causes mold, it also fosters the growth of dust mites and bacteria, as well as attracts cockroaches and rodents. Moisture will ultimately damage finishes and otherwise shorten the useful life of building materials. So, not only does uncontrolled excessive moisture make a building less comfortable, it will ultimately diminish the building’s value.
Myth No. 4: Only experts can clean mold.
Facts: Homeowners can clean small patches of mold using household detergents and warm water. It is important to scrub vigorously any mold patch in order to remove mold spores that otherwise would remain and foster future mold outbreaks. After cleaning, rinsing and drying the spot where mold has grown, rubber gloves and cleaning cloths used in the process should be discarded. Larger patches of mold may need to be eliminated by trained professionals.
Myth No. 5: Once mold starts, it will always be present.
Facts: Mold can be stopped in its tracks, but only if moisture is minimized or eliminated. Building experts urge homeowners to be aware of some of the telltale signs of mold, which include dampness, odors, discoloration, peeling paint, condensation, compacted insulation and visible discoloration.
Myth No. 6: Only unkempt houses have mold problems.
Facts: This is one of the greatest causes of the negative stigma attached to mold and it is completely false. Mold reproduces by producing microscopic particles called spores which become airborne. Mold spores are so minuscule that more than 250,000 can fit on the head of a pin. Millions of these spores travel through the air everyday and can enter almost any environment in seconds.
Mold spores will germinate in moisture-rich environments. For example, a homeowner affected by a flood or a hurricane may go to great lengths to alleviate all of the water damage cause by the storm. But ceilings, walls, carpets and other household staples dampened by the storm are already ripe for mold growth. This means that even the cleanest house on the block can be a breeding ground for problematic mold.
Myth No. 7: Mold contamination is largely a product of socio-economic status.
Facts: This myth also completely misses the mark. Location or income have no bearing on where a mold problem will develop. It depends on the combined presence of the three main factors: moisture, food source and mold spores for inoculation.
Myth No. 8: Once a house or building has been treated for mold contamination it looses its value.
Facts: Mold problems can be remediated by properly trained personnel who understand the principles of mold remediation. Once remediated, a third party testing company should inspect the area and confirm that the home was returned to a normal/background condition. Remediation companies should not perform testing as that is a conflict of interest. A certificate can be issued certifying the completion of the remediation project by the remediation company.
Myth No. 9: Molds are Toxic and will ruin our lives.
Facts: The popular media incorrectly uses the term “toxic mold” in a lethal context. The truth is that mold is everywhere in our environment. There are few, if any, “toxic” molds.
To be sure, molds can cause physical reactions in humans. These reactions typically range from skin rashes, to sneezing, headaches, and in some cases, difficulty breathing. Many people are allergic to molds as well and will demonstrate allergic reactions when they are in moldy areas. On rare occasions, molds can have a greater impact upon individuals whose immune systems are seriously compromised.
Our Mission: To provide exceptional service to our clients!
