Mold. It can be intriguing, disgusting and sometimes even scary. An old slice of bread that turns into a fluffy white forest fascinates. On the other hand when old leftovers turn into a bubbling pot of mold it is a little repulsive. And then there is the mold we all fear, toxic mold that could be lurking unseen deep within your walls if you don’t get San Diego mold removal. What is mold? Where does it come from? Let’s take a quick look at the three main factors that are needed for mold to grow.
It Starts With a Spore
Mold is everywhere. Mold starts as a spore and travels through the air until it lands on a surface. It is said that no indoor area is free from mold. Mold is present in the natural environment as an important part of nature’s clean-up crew. Molds break down organic matter like leaves and fallen trees. Without mold the leaves from last fall would still be in perfect condition on your front lawn and the forest would be filled with old fallen trees. We need mold, but not inside our house, which is why we need San Diego mold restoration.
While we need mold outside, we don’t need it indoors. Large quantities of mold can health problems and breathing difficulties. Now, this is where things get a little tricky. If mold is everywhere, why isn’t it growing everywhere? The answer is simple. Mold needs the right conditions to grow and prosper. In addition to spores mold also needs a place to grow and moisture.
A Place to Grow
Mold can grow almost anywhere. Mold can grow on almost any surface from wood to glass to walls. The mold spores float through the air and land on surfaces where they can start to grow. Warm environments encourage mold growth more than cold environments. A mold inspection in San Diego will help you prevent this.
Moisture
Mold spores also need moisture to grow. There are thousands of different types of mold and every single one of them needs moisture. Moisture can come from a variety of sources including humidity, standing water, poor drainage, even the mist from a shower. Once you combine a mold spore, a place to grow and the proper amount of humidity, you might just end up with a mold problem. Luckily there are a few things you can do to prevent mold problem or to correct the issue should a problem occur.
Strategies for Prevention
Since mold needs moisture, the most effective strategy for reducing mold is reducing moisture. Keep the humidity levels in your home or office lower than 50%. It is also wise to properly vent showers and kitchens. Bathrooms and basements tend to be especially damp, so avoid carpeting these rooms. Also watch for signs of excess moisture. Leaky pipes, improperly installed drain pans and other areas can quickly become a hotbed for mold growth.
If you do find mold in your home or office, act quickly with San Diego mold removal. Mold eats away at any surface where it is growing and can cause permanent damage. Mold can also make people very sick from both allergies and toxic exposure. Use caution when cleaning up mold. Mold spore exposure is greatly intensified when cleaning. It is important to both thoroughly clean the area and remove the source of moisture. Cleaning might take care of the problem for a few days, but if the moisture remains, the mold will surely return.