The Scoop on Mold

12/29/2020 (Permalink)

The Scoop on Mold

Mold can be a complicated topic and often goes untreated.  Before you can address the mold in your house, it helps to know a bit about this organism. Mold is a microscopic fungus that travels through the air. Unlike plants, which make their own food, mold eats by dissolving inorganic and organic materials in the environment. In fact, mold often breaks down debris in nature. Yet mold can become problematic when it appears in your home.

Did you know there are several different types of mold?  Some of the most common are:

• Penicillium
• Cladosporium
• Fusarium 
• Stachybotrys

Stachybotrys is often referred to as toxic or black mold. However, it can also be gray, green or brown.  

All types of mold need water to grow. That is why mold spores often appear in damp areas of your home. A moisture problem, such as a burst pipe, drainage backup or leak, can also lead to mold issues.  Before the mold cleanup begins, the source must be located.  SERVPRO of Marion/Middleboro can assist in finding the excess water fueling the infestation.  

Mold will not go away on its own. While drying wet areas will stop the mold from spreading, this step alone does not eliminate the problem.

In fact, because mold is so prevalent, it is impossible to completely remove all spores from your home. Still, any visible clusters of the fungus should be addressed before they lead to further problems.

Simply spraying the mold with bleach will not make the fungus go away. The bleach itself may also be toxic. While there are some safe cleaning products available, you are better off contacting a mold remediation company.  

Black mold can quickly grow and spread in moist areas of your home. Removing the water is the first step of the mold cleanup process. You then should bring in restoration experts to finish the job.

If you experience a water damage it is important that it be treated properly so that mold does not begin to grow.  Call SERVPRO of Marion/Middleboro at 508-946-2397 to ensure your home is mold free.