Mold is not something that is unfamiliar to us. It is around us in multiple ways. Are you being misled by myths about molds? Actually, mold is a type of fungi. It is found in certain edible mushrooms, yeast, etc. and we eat it that way. It is used in some kind of medicines like penicillin and it is used in certain treatment methods. It is also present in most of our homes. If there is moisture, mold grows abundantly in attics, basement, crawl spaces, bathrooms, etc.

To conclude, there are thousands of kinds of molds in the world. Some type of mold is harmful to health while others are not dangerous. It can float around the air and easily inhale by people. Generally, mold grows in damp and dark areas. With proper mold remediation activities, one can prevent mold formation and black mold growth completely. All these are a few general facts about molds.

Myths About Molds

When it comes to molds, there are a lot of half-truths and misinformation spreading around. Give the word ‘mold’ to anyone near you and they will have a good deal of information to share with you. How do you know whether it is true or not? Let us help you with this. Here we have tried to bust the most common myths about molds.

Myth 1: Molds are Rare

One of the biggest myths is that mold is a rare thing. The fact is that mold is very common in buildings and homes. It can be found indoors and outdoors. It enters your home through open doorways, ventilation, heating and air conditioning systems, etc. It can also reach inside your home by attaching itself to clothes, shoes, bags, pets, etc. If the mold spores fall on places where there is excessive moisture inside the homes, mold starts accumulating fast. The chance of mold growth stands higher if there is a leakage in roofs, pipes, walls, basement, etc.

The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has pointed out that many building materials provide suitable nutrients for molds to grow. There are certain materials such as paper and paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, wood and products made out of wood, dust, paints, wallpaper, insulation materials, drywall, carpet, fabric, upholstery, etc. which promote mold growth inside the home. If there is moisture inside the home, mold growth is most common.

Myth 2: All Molds are Harmful to Health

Another common myth is that all kinds of molds will cause health issues in people. It is not true. As said before, there are different types of molds in the world and some are common inside homes. The most common indoor molds found during house mold inspection are Cladosporium, Penicillium, Aspergillus, stachybotrys atra, etc. Most of these types are less harmful to humans. However, stachybotrys atra, which is commonly known as black mold, is considered to be dangerous.

When people are exposed to molds, it can cause several allergies and health effects. Stuffy nose, throat infection, wheezing, coughing, sneezing, etc. are some of the common symptoms of mold growth. People with allergies are found to be more sensitive when they are exposed to molds. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) has found out sufficient evidence to link indoor exposure to mold with upper respiratory tract symptoms, cough, and wheeze in otherwise healthy people; with asthma symptoms in people with asthma; and with hypersensitivity pneumonitis in individuals susceptible to that immune-mediated condition.

Physicians may advise an allergy test for possible allergies of mold and advise the treatment plan. It is important to do hire mold removal specialists to keep the home free of molds if anyone in the home is diagnosed with allergies.

Myth 3: Mold Remediation is a DIY Task

If you check any DIY websites, you will get numerous tips to remove molds from your home all by yourself. Is mold removal an easy task which you can do by yourself? If your answer is yes, you should rethink about it. It is not always true. In rare instances, if there is mere mold presence, you can scrub it with common cleaning agents and resolve the issue.

When it comes to mold removal and mold remediation, it is not always wise to do it yourself. The hidden danger in this is that you may not be able to identify the type of mold. It may or may not be toxic. You may put yourself into a hazardous environment. Moreover, when you put cleaning agents, it may breakdown the surface which, in turn, will further promote mold growth. On the other side, if you are hiring professionals to do the job, they take the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of the home as well as the property. Hence it is better to leave the job to professionals.

Myth 4: Mold is a Natural Thing Which Can Be Ignored

Mold is a natural thing and it is a fact. However, mold presence cannot be ignored. There are many people who do not consider mold removal as an important task. Although mold is a natural thing, it can turn harmful if the removal task is prolonged.

Similar to any other microorganism, molds break down plant and animal matter in the environment. As part of its reproduction, mold releases spores that spread in the air. Therefore, exposure to mold spores can cause a number of health issues. Some type of molds like black molds is potentially dangerous. As the name suggests, black mold is not always black. Dangerous molds can be green, brown, yellow, white, etc. and can also be destructive. One should understand that all dark-shaded molds are not toxic and all toxic molds are not black.

To conclude, it is always better to hire the service of a mold removal expert if you find mold presence in your home. Through proper mold testing and inspection, you can understand the type of molds and take the necessary remediation.

Myth 5: You Can Remove All Molds Using Bleach Powder

Bleaching powder is one of the widely used materials for destroying molds and it is one of the common cleaning agents available at home. Both chlorine bleach and oxygen bleach are used in cleaning molds. However, it is just a myth that all molds can be successfully removed using bleaching powder.

It is useful in killing certain kinds of molds on non-porous surfaces. There is no evidence that it can kill all types of molds. For example, if you are using bleaches on porous material such as wood, it may create more problems. It is a corrosive material and may spoil the surface. Also, it has been noted that bleaching agents that are commonly used in homes are not strong enough to penetrate the roots and destroy the mold colony.

There are mold remediation companies that use bleaching powder as a cleaning agent. However, they are trained to use the cleaning agent in the right proportion on each surface. With the help of mold inspection companies, you can conduct proper mold remediation activities and keep your home free of molds.

Myth 6: Molds Are Not Visible, So the Home is Safe

All of us want our homes to be mold-free. If there is moisture, you cannot deny the chance of mold growth in the home. And all molds are not visible through naked human eyes. So if you don’t see molds, it doesn’t mean that your property is free of molds.

Various signs show there is a mold presence in your home. One of the common signs of mold presence is a musty or earthy odor. Molds emit a musty smell and its smell changes according to the type of mold. Other common visible signs of mold formation are a change of color in the walls, tiles, roof of the home, kitchen slabs, wallpaper, etc., especially in places where moisture is evident. Also, if anyone in the house gets the frequent infection out of an unknown reason, it is a subtle hint that you should check for mold presence inside the home. When you breathe in the mold spores, the defense system of the body recognizes it as foreign particles and hence allergic reactions occur.

Myth 7: Killing Mold is Enough, Remediation is Not Needed

Killing is only the first step once you observe mold presence in your home. Getting rid of mold using proper mold remediation activities is equally important. Mold remediation should not be prolonged as it leads to further complications.

When you simply kill mold, it does not resolve the mold issue. Allergens may still be present in the dead molds. Therefore proper mold removal is necessary. The presence of moisture is the common breeding ground for molds and the next big step is to identify the source of moisture. You need to find out if there are leaks or cracks in the concrete and get it resolved to prevent the presence of moisture. Proper mold remediation activities are very important to further avoid the formation of molds. And extra care should be taken while you remove the molds as it may spread to other parts of the home. To make mold removal and remediation hassle-free, quick and effective, it is important to hire a professional mold treatment company.

Myth 8: Molds Form Only if Flooding Occurs

Floods are one of the common events that lead to mold formation in homes. However, it is only a myth that mold occurs only if your house is affected by flooding. Mold can grow if there is moisture in the home. If the humidity of the room is high, it increases the chance of mold formation.

However, molds become a common occurrence in flood-hit homes. Even if your home is cleaned within the first week of floods, mold may still grow. As per experts, mold formation starts within the first 24-48 hours after water/moisture enters the home. Therefore, you need to clean up and dry out the home quickly within the first 48 hours. Also, you have to scrub the cleanable surfaces with soapy water and brushes as well. If possible, use an air conditioner or dehumidifier to properly dry the space.

If the home is affected by floods, it is better to hire the service of a professional water damage restoration company. They do the quick cleanup of space, do proper drying and make the space free of moisture thus preventing the chance of mold growth.

Myth 9: Small Mold Colonies Can Be Ignored

Large blotches of mold make an unwelcoming sight and we take the remedial measures as soon as it occurs. However, most people tend to ignore small blotches of mold presence for a long time. It could be a tip of an iceberg and there could be severe damage in the interiors that are hardly visible for us. When people realize the actual severity of mold growth, it may be quite late leading to the complete damage of the property.

Hence small patches of mold growth should never be ignored. It could be subtle hints of a larger problem. Mold growth is higher if the space is dark and away from sunlight. Hence it goes unnoticed for a long time. It may grow under the wall or carpet or in the insulation behind the wall. The takeaway is when you see any signs of molds, it is wise to hire the service of house mold inspection companies to formerly asses the place and take the remedial action quickly.

Get in Touch With Us!

Have you got any queries regarding mold growth in your home? Do you need mold testing in your home? Feel free to get in touch with the mold removal specialists at Dry Effect.

Being one among the top mold inspection companies in Cincinnati, we are the oft-recommended name when it comes to mold testing and mold cleanup. Our technicians have in-depth knowledge about mold growth and years of experience in mold cleanup. With modern equipment and safe techniques, we provide you best-in-class services in mold testing and mold remediation.

Call us now to know more about keeping your home mold-free!