What is Mold and Is It Harmful?

Mold is a form of bacteria, better known as a fungus, which appears in areas of a home that have been exposed to water or excess moisture. In order for mold to develop, it requires a combination of moisture, warmth, and organic matter to feed on. Over a thousand variations of molds and fungus, both toxic and non toxic can thrive in a home and destroy the structure and possibly cause serious health issues. Most times mold spores enter the home through constant traffic through the home or objects carried in contaminated with mold spores.

Molds are small organisms found almost everywhere, inside and outside, including on plants, foods and dry leaves. They can be nearly any color – white, orange, green or black. Molds are beneficial to the environment and are needed to break down dead material. Very tiny and lightweight, mold spores travel easily through the air.

Most building surfaces can provide adequate nutrients to support the growth of mold. When mold spores land on material that is damp – for example, walls, floors, appliances (such as humidifiers or air conditioners), carpet or furniture – they can begin to multiply. When molds are present in large numbers, they may cause allergic symptoms similar to those caused by plant pollen.

How Does Mold Grow?
Mold needs three things to grow: Food Source, Temperature, and most importantly Moisture. Mold eats only organic material as they primarily degrade cellulose. In homes and offices there are plenty of organic materials used in construction which contain cellulose, such as drywall, wood, and even carpet with organic fibers. Mold will not eat synthetic materials.

What are some common causes of mold growth?
Kids flooded the tub,Sewer or Septic tank backup, the Basement flooded, Leaky foundation and/or seepage, busted pipes, leaky pipes, toilet over flow, Leaky HVAC Vents, Window A/C Units, A Leaky roof, inner wall excess moisture or leak, etc.

Types of Mold

Our List of the Most Common Types Of Mold

• Allergenic Mold
• Pathogenic Mold
• Toxic Mold
• Black Mold
• Stachybotrys
• Indoor Mold
• Aspergillus
• Penicillium
• Alternaria
• Ascospores
• Basidiospores
• Cladosporium
• Curvularia
• Nigrospora
• Smuts
• Myxomycetes
• Amerospores
• Ascospores
• Aurobasidium
• Chaetomium
• Fusarium
• Memnoniella
• Pithomyces/Ulocladium

How to Inspect, Identify, Remove, and Prevent Mold

Mold Inspection FL-
Do you think you have a mold problem? Did you know mold can not only destroy your home but can also cause you and your loved ones serious health problems? Not to worry, let Florida state certified  professional mold experts help!

Mold Testing FL-
After our Florida mold experts conduct a complete mold inspection in FL, all air and mold samples are sent to an independent mold testing laboratory. Results from the mold test are then forwarded to us and compiled into our proprietary mold inspection report.

Mold Removal FL-
The final step is based is the actual Florida mold removal process. This step is based on the information collected from the initial mold inspection and the results from the mold testing laboratory. The state certified mold removal specialists then come in with high tech mold remediation equipment and get to work ridding your home of mold.

What are some common misconceptions about mold?
Some people believe that they can take shortcuts when it comes to mold removal. Many have tried to scrape off the mold, paint over it, and/or cover the area with sheetrock. These “methods” of mold removal are false can could possibly lead to a more advanced infestation of mold. To be sure that you have completely removed all mold from your property you need a through inspection and proper remediation procedures. Also, most times mold will not be visible where it is growing. Mold can grow behind walls for a long period of time before appearing in the infected area, though the smell will still linger.

What Kind of Health Issues Can Mold Cause?

Mold can cause a wide range of health issues ranging from itchy irritated eyes all the way to serious chronic illness and even death.

Common side effects of mold exposure-

Allergies, breathing difficulties, asthma, pneumonia, itchy eyes, skin rashes, fungal infections, dizziness, irritability, sick building syndrome, plus many other negative side effects.

If you would like to find out more about Florida mold remediation, please contact us.

In need of a state certified mold contractor?