It’s around us more than we know. It can grow in many places, and usually in places that are not top-of-mind at your home, or your office building. It ranges in levels of severity from not even being noticed to causing allergic reactions and respiratory issues or asthma attacks.
Mold can travel in in the form of tiny spores which can float thru the air unseen due to their microscopic size. This is why using a fan to dry the area may not be the best course of action as it can disperse and spread the spores even more. Instead, using a Mold Specialist for proper remediation and removal of the mold is best.
When they eventually attach to a surface and gather into a particular area, they can begin to grow.
When visible, it can appear in a multitude of different colors on many different types of materials. Mold spores flourish in environments that are warm, wet, and dark. There are certain areas of a home or office to keep in mind that might lend to these conditions more easily than others.
Some locations/environments where mold is typically found:
-Basements
-Backyard Storage Sheds
-Water Heater Closets
-Underneath sinks that might have been leaking.
Some materials mold can grow on:
-Paper
-Plastic
-Sheetrock
-Wood
-Fabric
-Glass
Common Types of Mold:
Aspergillus – Can be found indoors or outdoors. Commonly found on food and air conditioning systems. Can cause allergic reactions, but does not normally cause illness to a person with a generally healthy immune system.
Cladosporium – Will likely cause allergic reactions, often affecting the eyes, skin, throat and more.
Stachybotrys – Also known as “black mold”. Constant moisture fuels the growth of this type of mold.
Air Quality and Remediation
Testing the “air quality” of a space suspected to have mold is the official way to know if you have a mold problem. A certified professional will take samples of clean air area, usually outside, and then compare that with a sample of the area believed to be affected. Comparing the two samples will give the best result for a homeowner or commercial building owner.
If you are confirmed to have a mold affected area, it is best to quickly and professionally remediate and remove the mold. A restoration specialist like Trilink Restoration can efficiently remove the mold using industry standards and best practices. Often, the most effective steps will include setting up proper containment before beginning remediation, then treating and cutting out/removing the affected material.
Following the remediation, a follow up test should be taken to confirm the removal of the harmful mold.
