Learn some of these mold facts to better prepare yourself for the process of addressing mold in your home or business. Understanding more about this common issue can help you make the best decision about how to address it, save you money, and save you precious time. This way, you know you chose the best method of removal while also protecting yourself, your family, and/or your employees.

In this article, we go over some of the most common questions home and business owners have about mold. And, address any of the myths that may surround mold and its impact on buildings, health, and more.

Is All Mold Bad?

It’s easy to assume that all mold is bad mold. However, that’s not necessarily true. For example, the existence of mold helps to keep a balance in natural ecosystems. Mold isn’t unnatural. In fact, its been around since before humankind. In the wild, mold is important as it helps to break down dead organic materials like leaves, plants, and trees. Furthermore, mold has been a great help to humankind as it is responsible for the production of certain types of cheeses. And, even more importantly, responsible for the invention and creation of a specific type of antibiotic – penicillin.

Mold is only bad when it enters a place that humans live, work, and breathe air. And, grows to a harmful level. But, it’s important to know that mold is very natural. And, exists in nearly every type of environment – including nearly every home in the world.

How Much Mold is Dangerous?

Because mold is dangerous only when it reaches a certain level, it can help to know what this level is. However, it’s hard to say what amount of mold present is dangerous to health as every person reacts differently to it. For example, people with allergies, asthma, or weaker immune systems (like infants and older adults) may experience the health effects of mold sooner or worse than others. And, these individuals are more likely to experience the effects of mold even in situations where there are less elevated mold levels. However, a rule of thumb across the industry is that when people see mold growing, mold has already reached a dangerous level. But, keep in mind that in many scenarios, home and business owners may not even see the mold that’s growing. This is becaues it’s likely to grow where you don’t look; behind drywall, in your attic, under your subflooring, etc.

What Does Mold Need in Order to Grow Successfully?

Part of the mold removal process is identifying why it’s growing in the first place. This way, you can eliminate what mold needs in order to grow. And, reduce the chance of it growing back to become another issue in the future. To grow successfully, mold needs:

Food: Mold feeds on a number of organic materials and needs in order to thrive. This may include your drywall, insulation, or wood trim/subflooring.

Water: Just like any other living thing, mold requires water to live. This is why mold growth is common after a home or business experiences flooding and/or water damage. Water can get into the home by way of leaks, high humidity, and even condensation.

Darkness: While mold doesn’t necessarily require darkness in order to grow, it provides the pristine condition for mold growth. Mold grows faster in the dark. And, is usually found in the darkest places of home environments.

Are All Types of Mold Toxic to Humans?

As mentioned before, not all molds are bad molds. And, not all molds lead to sickness in humans. There are literally dozens of different types of mold. However, if you see mold growing in your home, the chance that the mold you see is toxic is rather high. This is because black mold is one of the most common types of mold that can grow inside home settings. So, if you do see mold, even if you don’t think it’s toxic, it’s best to have professionals decide.

Getting Help After Reading These Mold Facts

Now that you know some of the most important mold facts there are, it’s time to address the mold in your home. However, many homeowners mistakenly think that they can remove mold effectively themselves. In order to effectively remove mold, professional assistance is necessary.

Hiring a mold removal company will allow you to rest easy knowing that the mold in your home has been removed safely and effectively. If you’re in the South Florida area and you’re looking for a professional mold removal company you can trust, look no further than A Plus Mold Remediation Inc. To get your quote for mold removal in your home or business, contact us today.