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Where can Mold grow? Move your mouse over our photo and see all the hidden areas where mold, fungi, and other problems can be found
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What is Mold?
Molds are forms of fungi found all year round both indoors and out doors. Another common term for mold is mildew. There are thousands of species of mold and they can be any color, size and shape. Most fungi, including molds, produce microscopic cells called "spores" that if disturbed can become "aerosolized". Spores are like seeds and can form new mold growth (colonies) if the conditions are right.
Where do I find Mold?
Mold, when outdoors, is a good thing. Mold helps decompose organic material and can be found growing in soil, foods and plant matter. However, when you find mold indoors this is not a good thing. Indoor mold can damage building materials and cause health problems if allowed to flourish. Water is mold's best friend. Some common causes of indoor mold are dampness, flooding, plumbing leaks, moisture condensation of cold surfaces, and bathroom showers.
Does my home or office have mold? How do I know? Should I have my home of office tested for mold?
Most homes or offices have mold. According to a recent study of 10,000 homes, half had conditions of water damage and mold. Testing for mold, however, should not be your first course of action. These tests are expensive and your insurer may not pay for them. If you smell an earthen or musty odor you may have mold. If the allergy symptoms of family or co-workers worsen, but then disappear when they leave the building, you probably have mold. Also, if you any evidence of water damage such as staining of the wallboard after a rain then you probably have mold. Contributing factors to mold growth are high humidity, moderate temperatures (68 – 86 0F). Look for some of the signs of mold – sunken or separated baseboards, whitish mats under floor coverings and cabinets, staining of sheetrock, and mushroom like growths.
Are there health effects associated with mold?
Yes and no. Everyone comes into contact with many types of mold each day, and usually without harmful side effects. However, mold can induce allergic reactions in some people similar to hay fever – nasal congestions, sneezing, skin or eye irritation, etc. Occasionally, mold can also cause more serious or unusual health conditions – lung hemorrhage, memory loss. You are most likely to suffer from mold if you have a respiratory disorder, you have a weakened immune system, or you are very young or very old.
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