 Mold Information
General Information
Moisture control is the key to mold control. Molds
function in nature is to decompose and break down organic matter of many
types. Because of this water is the limiting factor to mold growth. At
MoldAway.net (a division of Nation Dry), we specialize in fixing
the problems that cause moisture build up and thus mold growth especially
in your attic or basement.
Molds grow in damp or wet areas
indoors. They can get the moisture they need from water
leaks or from the air in high humidity areas. Common
sites for indoor mold growth include basement and attic
walls, floors and ceilings, areas around windows where
moisture condenses, and near pipes.
Causes of water or moisture problems include leaks in
the basement or roof, condensation associated with high humidity or cold
spots in the building, localized flooding due to plumbing failures or
heavy rains, slow leaks in plumbing fixtures or lack of appropriate maintenance.
Sustained high humidity can also be a source of moisture leading to mold
growth, particularly in hot, humid climates. Attics and basements are
often most at risk.
Molds are a type of fungi and live in the soil, on
plants, and on dead or decaying matter when moisture is present. In nature
molds play a pivotal role in the breakdown of leaves, wood, and other
plant debris. Unlike plants, they lack chlorophyll and must survive by
digesting plant materials which they use for food. Without molds, the
environment would be overflowing with large amounts of dead plant matter.
Molds produce tiny spores to reproduce. These mold spores
can be found in both indoor and outdoor air, and on indoor and outdoor
surfaces. When mold spores land on a damp spot, they may begin growing
and digesting whatever they are growing on. This is one reason why it
is important to prevent mold growth on building materials and furnishings
etc. in order to prevent their eventual destruction.
There is no normal way to eliminate all mold
and mold spores in the indoor environment, thus the
key to controlling indoor mold growth is to control
moisture. To see what type of services MoldAway.net
(a division of Nation Dry), offers for mold remediation and to control moisture
click here.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Mold
1.) What is mold?
Molds are a type of fungi. Their small particles
are present everywhere both indoors and outdoors. Molds
can grow anywhere there is moisture including hidden
areas in your home. In nature they function to decompose
dead organic material such as leaves, wood and plants. Top of Page ^
2.) Why Does Mold Start Growing
In My Home?
Mold spores are always in the air around us.
They enter your home with the air or sometimes attached
to clothing or pets. When a mold spore drops onto a
moist surface the colony begins to grow. Top of Page ^
3.) Where Does mold grow?
Although mold can grow anywhere moisture is
present it is more common on wet cellulose materials,
including paper and paper products, cardboard, and the
paper layer or wallboard. However mold colonies can
also grow on materials such as dust, paint, wallpaper,
insulation, carpets and upholstery in damp or moist
conditions. Mold can grow on dust and dirt that accumulates
on inorganic matter such as on concrete or in air ducts.
Basements and attics are especially common areas for
mold infestation, MoldAway.net
(a division of Nation Dry), specializes in mold
remediation in these areas. Top of Page ^
4.) What Does Mold Need to Grow?
Most importantly mold needs water to trigger its growth.
Mold also needs food, oxygen and a temperature range
between 40 degrees and 100 degrees F. Since mold decomposes
dead organic material it can grow on wood, the paper
facing on gypsum board and other materials made from
wood. Molds can decompose wood, materials made from
wood and also some synthetic materials such as adhesives,
pastes and paints. Mold cannot get nutrients from inorganic
material such as concrete, glass and metal, however
it can grow on the dirt or dust buildup present on these
surfaces. Some molds can get the moisture they need
from the air when the air is very damp (generally a
humidity above 80%). These growth parameters make basements
and attics especially vulnerable to mold infestation. Top of Page ^
5.) What types of mold are commonly
found indoors?
Common molds that may invade your home come
in various types and colors. The most common indoor
molds are: Cladosporium, Penicillium, Aspergillus, Alternaria,
and Mucor. The toxic molds that can be found in homes
are two species of black mold, Stachybotrys (the more
common) and Memnoniella. Top of Page ^
6.) Where does mold grow?
Although mold can grow anywhere moisture is
present it is more common on wet cellulose based materials,
including paper and paper products, and cardboard. Also,
common materials such as dust, paint, wallpaper, insulation,
carpets and upholstery can also help support their growth
in damp or moist conditions. Top of Page ^
7.) How can I tell if I have mold
in my home?
Sight and especially smell are often adequate to tell if mold
is present. Mold growths may have a soft, fuzzy, cottony, velvety, granular,
or leathery appearance and may appear in may colors. Make sure to look
around areas where there is excess moisture. Look behind and underneath
materials (carpets, wallpaper, flooring, sink and cabinets), around
pipes and areas of condensation, in the basement and attic, on furniture,
and items in storage. Sometimes deconstruction such as opening a wall
may be needed to inspect enclosed spaces where mold and moisture are
hidden. Because this can cause damage to your home or potentially release
large amount of hidden spores, in these cases it may be best to contact
a professional service such as MoldAway.net (a division of Nation Dry). Top of Page ^
8.) How can I clean mold areas?
In some cases where the area is small mold
can be removed by a thorough cleaning with soap and
water. If you choose to use bleach, do so with caution.
If you have an larger amount of mold or you suspect
the mold is in a hidden or hard to reach area where
deconstruction my occur to reach it, you should contact
MoldAway.net (a division of Nation Dry). We have experience
in cleaning mold
in buildings and homes. Remember there is no point
in trying to remove the mold if you do not first correct
the moisture problem that led to the mold. If it remains
the mold will quickly return. Top of Page ^
9.) How do molds affect people?
There is evidence that large amounts of mold
exposure may affect those with impaired immune system
function and cause allergic reactions. Molds is suspected
of being involved in asthma attacks in people with asthma
who are allergic to mold. In addition, mold exposure
can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs
of both mold-allergic and non-allergic people. Top of Page ^
10.) Suspicion of Hidden Mold
If a room or building smells moldy when you enter it
but you cannot see any visible source of mold, you may
suspect that hidden mold is lurking somewhere nearby.
If you or a family member is not feeling well, having
respiratory problems or allergy problems this may also
signal hidden mold in your home. Mold can easily find
a place to grow in hidden locations such as the back
side of dry wall, wallpaper, or paneling, the top side
of ceiling tiles, the underside of carpets and pads,
etc. Hidden mold is also common inside walls around
pipes (when pipes leak or have condensation present
on a regular basis), inside ductwork, and in roof materials
above ceiling tiles. If you suspect you have hidden
mold contact MoldAway.net (a division of Nation Dry), we
have technicians capable of analyzing and fixing your
problem. Find
out more about hidden mold. Top of Page ^
11.) What is mold?
Molds are a type of fungi. Mold is especially
common in buildings and homes where conditions are moist
and warm. Molds can grow anywhere there is moisture.
In nature they function to decompose dead organic material
such as leaves, wood and plants. Top of Page ^
12.) Why Does Mold Start Growing
In My Home?
Mold spores are always in the air around us.
They enter your home with the air or sometimes attached
to clothing or pets. When a mold spore drops onto a
moist surface the begin to grow. Top of Page ^
13.) Where does mold grow?
Although mold can grow anywhere moisture is present it is commonly
seen on wet cellulose materials, including paper and paper products, cardboard,
ceiling tiles, all of which can provide it nutrients. However common materials
such as dust, paint, wallpaper, insulation, carpets and upholstery can
also help support their growth in damp or moist conditions. Mold can grow
on dust and dirt that accumulates on inorganic matter such as on concrete
or in air ducts. For these reasons basements and attics are the most common
sites of mold infestation for many homeowners. If you are having a problem
with mold or water in your basement or attic contact
MoldAway.net (a division of Nation Dry). Top of Page ^
14.) What Does Mold Need to Grow?
First and most importantly mold needs water to grow.
Mold also needs food, oxygen and a temperature range
between 40 degrees and 100 degrees F. Since mold decomposes
dead organic material it can grow on wood, the paper
facing on gypsum board and other materials made from
wood. Molds can decompose wood, materials made from
wood and also some synthetic materials such as adhesives,
pastes and paints. Mold cannot get nutrients from inorganic
material such as concrete, glass and metal, however
it can grow on the dirt present on these surfaces. Some
molds can get the moisture they need from the air when
the air is very damp (relative humidity is above 80%). Top of Page ^
15.) What types of mold are commonly
found indoors?
Molds that you may encounter in your home come
in various types and colors. The most common indoor
molds are Cladosporium, Penicillium, Aspergillus, Alternaria,
and Mucor. The toxic molds that can be found in homes
are two species of black mold, Stachybotrys (the more
common) and Memnoniella. Top of Page ^
16.) How can I tell if I have mold
in my home?
Usually sight and smell will be sufficient to detect mold in
your home unless it is hidden somehow.
If you see or smell mold, treatment will depend on the amount of mold
that is present. Visible mold growth may have a soft, fuzzy, cottony,
velvety, granular, or leathery appearance and come come in many colors.
Examine your home making sure to look around areas where there is excess
moisture. Look behind and underneath materials (carpets, wallpaper, vinyl
flooring, sinks and cabinets), around pipes and areas of condensation,
in the basement and attic, on furniture and items in storage placed in
non-environmentally controlled areas. Since disturbing these areas of
hidden mold has the potential to release a large amount of spores or may
involve destructive techniques in getting to inspect these enclosed spaces
where mold and moisture are may be hidden it is recommended that you contact
a professional mold removal or mold remediation
service such as MoldAway.net (a division of Nation Dry). Top of Page ^
17.) How can I clean mold areas?
In some cases where the area is small mold
can be removed by a thorough cleaning with soap and
water. If you choose to use bleach, do so with caution.
If you have an larger amount of mold or you suspect
the mold is in a hidden or hard to reach area where
deconstruction my occur to reach it, you should contact
a professional service such as MoldAway.net
(a division of Nation Dry), who has experience in cleaning mold in buildings and
homes. Remember there is no point in trying to remove
the mold if you do not first correct the moisture problem
that led to the mold. If it remains the mold will quickly
return. Top of Page ^
18.) How do molds affect people?
There is evidence that large amounts of mold
exposure may affect those with impaired immune system
function and cause allergic reactions. Top of Page ^
Bullet Points About Mold
- Mold is always in the air around
us naturally both inside and out, the only way to
control indoor mold growth is to control the moisture
level.
- Molds function in nature is to
break down and decompose dead organic material.
- Mold spores are extremely tiny
and waft through the air. They can maintain their
viability to reproduce in many environments until
they land on a appropriate surface.
- If the air is sufficiently humid over a sustained
period many molds can get their moisture requirements to grow from the
air. This makes basements and attics especially susceptible.
- If mold is a problem in your home
you must clean up the mold and eliminate sources of
moisture, without sufficient moisture the mold cannot
grow.
- Mold grows well on organic substances,
especially those containing cellulose such as wood
and paper. They grow more rapidly on processed cellulose
items such as paper than on wood in its natural state
- There are molds that can grow on
wood, paper, carpet, fabric, and foods.
- Mold growths can be many colors
such as: black, green, red, pink, orange, yellow,
etc. depending on the type, substance they are growing
on (digesting) and moisture level.
- Water problems or leaks can cause
mold growth, fix as quickly as possible.
- Potential health effects and symptoms
associated with mold exposure include allergic reactions,
asthma, and other respiratory complaints.
- Reduce indoor humidity (to 30-60%
) to decrease mold growth by: venting bathrooms, dryers,
and other moisture-generating sources to the outside;
using air conditioners and de-humidifiers; increasing
ventilation; and using exhaust fans whenever cooking,
dishwashing, and cleaning.
- Small patches of mold can be cleaned
off of surfaces with water and detergent. Make sure
to dry completely.
- Mold growth can be prevented in
some areas by preventing condensation on cold surfaces
by adding insulation. (for example windows, piping,
exterior walls, roof, or floors)
- In areas where there is a constant moisture problem
one way to prevent mold buildup is to avoid installing carpeting (for
example by drinking fountains, by sinks, or on concrete floors with
leaks or frequent condensation as often happens in basements).
- Although molds cannot grow on inorganic
substances such as metal or glass they can grow on
built up dust and dirt that accumulates on these items
provided sufficient moisture is present.
- It is important to dry water damaged
areas and items within 24-48 hours to prevent mold
growth. If you basement is constantly wet call
MoldAway.net.
- Clean and dry any damp or wet building
materials and furnishings within 24-48 hours to prevent
mold growth.
Top of Page ^
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