What is Mold?
What is Mold?
It is actually a type of fungus and is found virtually everywhere. It is not
visible to the naked eye and is found in both indoor and outdoor air. Make no
mistake, these tiny spores take hold and grow, especially inside your home. They
can wreck havoc on your home and your health.
When spores begin to grow that means they have attached themselves to a wet
area. If you can see the mold it tells you there is a good deal of dampness
where you found it. Mold is part of our environment and works by digesting
organic matter that is dead like leaves and dead trees. That is outdoors, bit
indoors is a place you definitely don’t want to see it. The only way to stop
mold from growing inside is to eliminate moisture. That of course is hard,
especially in the shower and in sinks, and even little moisture areas in the
basement. If there is mold in your home or school you must clean it right away
and dry up the moisture that is causing it. Mold has the ability to cause health
problems. Asthma, allergies, hives, and respiratory conditions like COPD.
Check you indoor humidity level. It should only be between 30-60%. Then help
mold from forming by venting things like the bathroom, dryer, and stove, to the
outside. Air conditioners and dishwashers will also help control moisture.
Hard surface areas should be cleaned and dried well with water and a little
green cleaner like ammonia in a spray bottle. However, if you clean fabric or
ceiling tiles they should be dried by 34 hours so mold won’t start to grow. If
ceiling tiles stay damp you might have to get new ones if you see any mold
growth.
Add insulation to your house. This will cut down on condensation. Insulate cold
spots like windows, outer walls, pipes, and floors. If you have places in your
home or school that are always damp, keep them free of carpet. Don’t put carpet
over concrete especially if there are leaks, even small ones.
Remember, molds grow almost anyplace. Be alert for some signs of it on any
surface – wood, carpets, paper, and of course, food. Quick action will help save
property before the mold is a problem.
By Bradley Skierkowski