Lesser-Known Facts About Mold

Chances are, you would know what mold looks like if you come across it. However, there are many people who are oblivious about how bad mold really is. Here are a few facts you may not have heard about mold.

1 - There Are Two General Types of Mold

While there are more than two species of mold, we will not delve into each and every one of those species here. There are two general types of mold, which are viable and nonviable mold.

Viable mold refers to mold that is still growing and thriving because it has access to a food source. In other words, no matter how creepy it sounds, this type of mold is alive and is still spreading. 

On the other hand, nonviable mold is no longer spreading. It may have lost its food source and does not have enough resources to continue growing. However, you should not think that this type of mold is less harmful than viable mold. Nonviable mold releases more spores into the air in comparison to viable mold. This being said, it can cause more health issues and allergic reactions than viable mold.

2 - You Don’t Need Tests

When mold is discovered in a home, a homeowner’s instinctive reaction is to have the mold tested. However, this is not a necessary step. There is no real reason to have the mold tested, unless you want to know what specific species of mold you are dealing with. After discovering mold in your home, the best step to take is to have it removed immediately.

3 - Humidity Results in Mold

One of the most common causes of mold is humid weather. If there is enough moisture in the air and even just a few mold spores around, there is a pretty good chance that mold will take over that area. The most common places in a home that mold grows in are in bathrooms and kitchens.

4 - Mold Has No Smell

You may have heard about things that “smell like mold”, but in reality, mold does not really have a smell of its own. Once the mold has consumed and digested the surface that it is taking over, it will release toxins and odors. These are the smells that people perceive when they “smell” mold.

5 - Simply Clearing Away Mold Isn’t Good Enough

If you want to get rid of mold growth in your home, cleaning the area is not enough. Simply cleaning the area will only remove the superficial mold, but may not be enough to get rid of all of it. If not all of the mold is cleared away, there is a chance that the mold will grow again in another portion of the house.

Notice Mold In Your Home?  Call The Pros

Getting rid of a mold infestation starts with identifying it. If you discover that you have mold in your home, clean the area to get rid of the visible mold. Then, invest in a good-quality air purifier to get rid of the unseen mold and prevent it from reappearing in other parts of your house. If all else fails, call a mold removal company. They will be able to get rid of the mold and give you tips to ensure that it never returns.

If you are looking for mold removal services, contact us today and let us get rid of your mold problem! Advanced Basement Waterproofing specializes in complete basement waterproofing and sealing, mold removal, mold remediation, French drain installations, emergency sanitation services, and more.  Our mold removal services cover all of Western Massachusetts and Northern CT.