Everything you need to know about MOLD

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Mold is a fungus that grows by digesting organic matter and spreads by releasing spores in order to reproduce. Mold is able to grow on pretty much any surface, from wood and wallpaper to ceiling insulation, floor carpet, drywall, sheetrock, etc.

The one-word answer is water. There are actually five factors that are needed to support fungal growth, but water is the factor most easily controlled indoors and is the one factor every species of mold requires. The other factors are temperature, light, nutrients (food source), and PH (mold prefers a slightly acidic environment). Mold thrives under humid conditions and in dark areas. Water leaks from leaking water pipelines, roof leaks, AC leaks, and other sources of water discharge often contribute to the growth and spread of mold, which may be considered as mold infestation.

Any CONTINUOUS leak that is not addressed and properly contained can

cause mold to grow. Mold is not something that takes a long time to grow.

Under the right conditions, mold can begin to grow and spread within 24

hours. In some instances, bacterial growth (mold spores) can start developing

as soon as 8 hours in the right conditions.

Mold can certainly cause damage to the furniture or structure of a building

such as roofs, walls, floors, clothing, etc. if it is allowed to spread. However, one

of the more serious concerns that many people have when it comes to mold

is whether or not it is hazardous to their health. Individuals that suffer from

respiratory problems, such as asthma, can be affected by the presence of

mold. So can anyone with allergies. Mold can cause issues such as eye

irritation, skin rash, nasal congestion, difficulty breathing, and more. There are

also a small number of molds that produce mycotoxins. Individuals who are

exposed to a high level of mycotoxins can suffer from nausea, fatigue, eye

irritation, lung irritation, and headaches.

There are three main levels of mold that fall under Allergenic Mold,

Pathogenic Mold, and Toxic Mold.

1. One common example of Allergenic Mold is Cladosporium. While

these molds are not typically harmful in small quantities, they can make

a person miserable. Tolerance of these molds depends on the person,

the level of the allergen, and the type of allergenic mold. People suffering

from allergenic mold allergies experience symptoms like a runny nose,

watery eyes, postnasal drip, cough, dry and scaly skin, and sneezing.

People with asthma may also experience wheezing, shortness of

breath, and chest tightness. One example of an allergic mold is

Aspergillus.

2. A common example of Pathogenic Mold is Chaetomium. Pathogenic

molds can cause a serious infection in humans. Unlike other types of

mold, pathogenic molds affect people with both weak and strong

immune systems. These molds can attack a healthy immune system

and make the person very ill. They actually begin to grow inside the

human body and cause more complications for the patient. This type of

mold can cause fungal or mold-related illnesses that are classified as

mycoses and results from fungi actually growing on or inside the body.

3. A common example of Toxic Mold is Stachybotrys. While toxic molds

are often confused with pathogenic molds, they are actually two very

different types. Toxic molds are far more dangerous to human beings

and can lead to complications that lead to many different illnesses.

Toxic molds release a chemical called mycotoxins into the air that

causes many different health problems. These health effects range from

temporary irritation to immunosuppression, cancers, and neurological

disorders. These molds can cause temporary and permanent health

problems if they are not taken care of as soon as possible.

Toxic black mold grows best in warm conditions. When toxic black mold does

grow in the home it's usually in a place out of sight. Toxic black mold needs a

lot of moisture for a long time before it can begin to grow. This is why it often

grows where there has been a water leak hidden from view. Leaks inside

walls, above ceilings, or under floors are common causes of toxic black mold.

Toxic black mold does not grow as quickly or as easily as most molds. Toxic

black mold needs a suitable material to be very wet for at least a week before

it can begin to grow.

While most molds take just one or two days to colonize, toxic black mold

usually needs eight to twelve days. Once the toxic black mold is growing

though it usually forces out any other molds growing nearby and takes over

its environment. This means that if you have or had category 1 or category 2

mold, Stachybotrys (black mold) is that strong that it takes over the other

mold. Mycotoxins are carried on the spores of toxic black mold and are also

found throughout the entire mold colony. People with toxic black mold in

their homes are mostly exposed to mycotoxins through breathing them in.

This leads to toxic symptoms and health problems.

If you find visible mold in your home or you have a musty smell that smells

like rotting leaves or decaying wood in a dense, damp forest, you should have

it professionally tested to be certain. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CLEAN IT

YOURSELF. Mold prefers a slightly acidic environment. All common chemicals

that people usually use have some sort of acidic base. This may clean the

surface of the mold but surely disturb and spread the spores.

Before inspection and mold remediation is done:

*Find the source of the leak

*Contain the leak

*Perform water mitigation (dry out)

Step 1: Inspection and Mold Damage Assessment

● Wait for the mold report to come back from the laboratory. May takes

3-4 days

Step 2: Mold Containment/ Mold Remediation

● Removal of bacterial growth and contain the mold from spreading.

Step 3: Air Filtration

● Service HVAC for bacterial growth.

Step 4: Removing Mold and Mold-Infested Materials

Step 5: Cleaning Contents and Belongings

● May need to remove or dispose of infested materials including but not

limited too, furniture, clothing, pillows, etc.

Step 6: Clearance

● Accessor will return to perform a clearance test to confirm that bacterial

growth has been removed in the areas originally tested

NOTE: MOST INSURANCE POLICIES DO COVER MOLD REMEDIATION IF IT’S

A COVERED CAUSE OF LOSS.