Indoor mold growth can become a tenacious problem in homes and businesses where water damage was not properly dried. Left to grow unchecked, mold can cause discoloration and structural damage to building materials.
Mold spores are small and can easily become airborne, quickly deteriorating indoor air quality. There are approximately 100,000 species of mold.
Mold needs oxygen, moisture, and nutrients to grow. Indoor wood, upholstery, wallpaper, and dust can be excellent nutrient sources. Mold can begin growing in as little as 48 hours, and it tends to grow best in damp, warm conditions.
What should you do if you suspect mold in your home or office? Here are common myths about treating mold:
MYTH: Spraying bleach on the mold will remove the problem.
FACT: Improper clean-up (including spraying bleach) can actually spread the problem and worsen the contamination.
MYTH: Black mold is the worst kind of mold.
FACT: The color of mold is insignificant – it’s the amount of mold that matters.
Proper mold remediation includes the use of High-Efficiency Particle Arrestor (HEPA) filtering units in conjunction with containment barriers to draw particles into the filtered area.
Air duct cleaning is a prudent final step in mold remediation, as is the cleaning of evaporator coils inside the air conditioning unit.
