Mold Causes

11/24/2015 (Permalink)

Molds are part of the natural environment, and can be found everywhere, indoors and outside. It usually isn't a problem until it starts to grow inside. The best way to control mold growth is to control moisture. There are 4 critical requirements for mold to grow.

• Mold Spores - When mold reproduces, it creates mold spores. Mold spores can survive in much harsher conditions than mold and spread through the air current. They are literally everywhere. Using an air purifier in your home that has a HEPA filter will help with eliminating the spores in the air. 
• Food - In buildings, molds are most commonly found on cellulosic building materials, meaning anything with paper, wood or natural fiber textiles. Molds eat the sugar and starch from the cellulose. But mold can also grow on non-cellulosic material, such as plastic, provided that there is some sort of food source on it. Even the oil from your skin on stainless steel, or a soap residue after cleaning will provide sufficient nutrients for mold to grow. It's virtually impossible to eliminate mold food sources from your home. 
• Temperature - Most molds grow at 40-100 degrees Fahrenheit. Unfortunately, we're quite comfortable between those temperatures also. 
• Moisture - Finally, something you can control. Molds require high m oisture levels. Mold spores that have been dormant for years can can begin growing if adequate moisture or humidity is present. After mold has started to grow, it can survive at lower humidity levels. Mold only needs 24-48 hours of moisture to grow. Therefore if if a suitable material in your house has been wet longer than a day, there's a chance mold is already present. 

When your home is being threatened by mold from any type of water damage or just summer humidity, SERVPRO of Cookeville has the expertise to prevent or mitigate the devastating effects mold can have in order to help preserve and restore your property. We have the equipment and experience necessary to handle the most challenging mold removal situations and are available around-the-clock. We concentrate on safely drying, deodorizing and disinfecting the areas flooded or damaged by water. When fire and water take control of your life, we help you take it back.