Whether it’s unexpected in your home or your food, you have likely encountered a few varieties of mold throughout the years. There are thousands of types of mold that grow in different areas. In your home, mold can cause damage to the structure of the building and your health. To better understand why you may need mold remediation, learn all about how mold grows.
To request a free estimate for mold remediation in Florida, call FP Property Restoration now at (888) 408-2335.
Where Does Mold Grow?
Mold grows in moisture – a fungi that grows in the form of thread-like structures. Mold can grow anywhere in a building but thrives in areas where there is water present, such as around windows and pipes, leaks in roofs, or flooded property. Mold grows well on cardboard, ceiling tiles, wood and paper products. Additionally, poor ventilation can cause the mold to grow faster. Warm, humid temperatures, dim lighting, and poor air circulation are all conditions where mold is likely to form and grow.
How Fast Does Mold Grow?
Mold and mildew can grow quickly, even with just a little moisture and high humidity. Once mold spores attach to a damp surface, the mold will start to break down the surface. This can happen within 24 to 48 hours after the spores attach. When the mold spores settle into a material or surface, it is essential to stop the growth.
How to Spot Mold in Your Home
By now you know that mold is an annoyance and when not treated quickly and properly can lead to more significant issues. But, do you know how to spot mold? Let’s take a look at some ways that you can spot mold in your home before doing mold testing.
- Visible Growth. This one is by far the most obvious. If you see mold, then mold is growing in your home. Sometimes though, the amount of mold you see isn’t the amount of mold present. In some cases, what you see is just the surface mold with more mold underneath it.
- Mold Smell. Another easy way to tell if mold is growing in your home is if you smell it. If you have smelled mold, you know exactly what it smells like. If you haven’t, it smells musty and damp. If you smell mold, the worst thing to do is ignore it or try and spray something to mask it. All that does it temporarily remove the smell without actually solving the problem.
- Water Leak. Current or previous leaks are often the indicator that mold is present. Whether it was a leaky pipe or a leak in the roof, these often produce moisture in overlooked places. If you see standing water, there’s a good chance there is mold around.
Tips to Avoid Mold Growth
- Make sure your AC unit is set no higher than 76 degrees and the fan is set to “Auto”. You should never leave your property for an extended time with the unit off. The money saved by turning off your air conditioner is pennies compared to the money spent on replacing your belongings. Many people make the mistake of leaving the AC unit ”ON” – this causes your unit to release warm, humid air into your property which will increase the speed at which mold can grow.
- If your property suffers from water damage – call a professional water damage company. Do not dry it yourself! There are critical steps that must take place to ensure there is no mold growth in the area. Dehumidification, Structural Drying, and Mold Prevention are all steps that a professional restoration company will complete to minimize the risk of mold.
- Be observant of areas where plumbing is present. Keep an eye on areas under the kitchen sink, bathroom sink, behind toilets and where your HVAC unit is located. These areas are prime locations for mold growth.
- Periodically inspect the outside of your property. Make sure there are no cracks in the foundation or stucco. Also, check that your irrigation system is properly moving water away from the home to avoid seepage in the walls.
- Repair roof and gutter issues as soon as you are aware of them. The longer these issues persist, the higher the risk for mold growth from water intrusion.
- Don’t just bleach or wipe the mold away! At the first sign of mold, even if it is minimal – call FP Property Restoration for a free inspection. What appears to be a small issue can grow into a big one quite fast. Many times people clean the same area of mold for years only to find out that the inside of the wall cavity has been a growing ground for a much larger mold problem!
*These tips don’t guarantee a mold-free environment, but if followed it can decrease the chances of mold growth. If you are concerned that you may have mold, call FP Property Restoration for your free inspection and consultation today at (888) 408-2335.
If you notice high humidity in an area of your home, or you have experienced water damage, it’s time to contact FP Restoration for mold remediation. Stopping the growth of mold is essential to preventing health problems and structural damage to your home.
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