Everything You Need to Know About Toxic Mold

November 6, 2017 5:38 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

Mold is one of those buzzwords that people hear and their ears perk up. We’ve all been conditioned to be afraid of mold growth on our food, in our homes and at the office, and for good reason. Mold can be dangerous, especially for people with chronic health conditions. But as wary of it as most people are, we’ve found that there are tons of questions surrounding mold and its growth. Continue reading to learn more about mold, and learn when a mold inspection in Portland, OR can benefit you and your property.

What is mold?

Mold is a fungus that grows naturally both indoors and outdoors. It tends to grow in wet and humid environments and can spread rather quickly as spores float through the air. It’s these same spores that trigger asthma attacks and allergic reactions that lead to breathing problems and other health issues.

It’s important to note that not every type of mold is bad. In fact, it was mold growth that led to the discovery of penicillin! But for every good type of mold, there’s a nasty mold that needs to be removed as soon as possible. Black molds, like Stachybotrys chartarum, are the types you especially want to look out for. These molds require a whole lot of moisture to grow, which is why they’re often found in water-damaged buildings. They only grow on certain materials, like paper, wood and carpeting. When you spot black mold growth, you need to have it removed by a professional as quickly as possible.

What should you do if you discover mold in your building?

Keep an eye out for mold in your home, especially if your home floods from a storm or a burst pipe. These are the times when black mold grows the fastest! Note that black mold will often grow where you can’t see it. Places like under the floorboards and inside the walls are hotbeds for mold. Even though you can’t see it, this mold can still affect your health. Call a professional for mold inspection in Portland, OR after a flood or bad plumbing leak. We know where to look for these harmful molds, and can take care of the situation if any mold is found.

What can be done to control mold growth?

Since mold is naturally occurring, there’s nothing we can really do to completely prevent its growth. But we can try to mitigate it from growing by controlling the moisture levels in our homes. You can help control mold growth in humid parts of your home by purchasing dehumidifiers to suck moisture out of the air. If an area of your home has flooded, dry the area within a day or two to help prevent mold from growing. Tear up any carpet that’s severely damaged by water, as mold can grow easily under the surface of your carpeting. Also, consider not installing carpet in parts of your home that are more likely to get wet, like your kitchen or bathroom.

If you spot any mold or think you may have a mold issue after a flood, you know who to call! At Active Mold Control LLC, we have decades of experience with mold inspection in Portland, OR, as well as subsequent mold removal. We’ll do our best to help ensure you and your family stay healthy after you run into a situation with mold.

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