Mold is everywhere. In nature, its growth plays an important role in the decomposition process. Inside a building, it is a destructive force that endangers both your property and your family.
Mold and Your Home
Mold is a fungus that is spread via spores, and having it move into your home is a major problem. Much like termites destroy homes with their appetite for wood, mold feeds on the materials that it grows on, releasing substances that break them down so that it can gather the nutrients it needs. Molds feast on organic materials, and they will happily grow on wood, paper products, ceiling tiles, drywall, wallpaper, upholstery, carpet, insulation and fabric. Mold can even thrive on some glues. Over time, mold can cause significant damage to both your home’s structure and its contents.
Mold and Your Health
There are actually several species of molds. Penicillium, aspergillus, alternaria and cladosporium are the molds most commonly discovered inside. People need to be particularly concerned about Stachybotrys chartarum, a greenish-black mold that thrives in places that have suffered heavy water damage; it is often called toxic mold. Regardless of the exact species, mold has the potential to reduce the quality of indoor air and cause serious health problems. Pregnant women, asthmatics and people with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable, but even healthy people are at risk. Health problems associated with mold exposure include:
- Headaches and mental fogginess
- Respiratory problems and asthma attacks
- Fevers, coughing and wheezing
- Skin irritation
When Mold Moves In
Mold spores are all over, and they can easily find their way into homes via doors, windows and ventilation systems. They can also be carried in on clothing, hair or pet fur. The problems start when mold spores discover the right conditions for growth. Mold needs a comfortable temperature and organic materials, items that are readily available in human homes. It also needs moisture. That’s why mold infestations tend to appear in areas that have been impacted by high humidity, excessive condensation or water damage. Damp basements and crawlspaces and sites where leaks or other types of water damage have occurred are common places to find mold.
Mold remediation is a job for a professional. Improper cleanup and removal can actually send spores into the air, making the problem worse. With nearly 20 years of experience in mold remediation, flood restoration and air control, Flood and Mold NJ has the knowledge and equipment needed to respond quickly and effectively to the threat mold poses. We firmly believe that people deserve to feel safe in the spaces where they live and work, and we’re ready to help you with all your mold and air control issues. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.