Mold: A Primer

7/21/2021 (Permalink)

"Black mold" is a term frequently tossed around water-cooler conversations these days. People mention it often and talk about how they should get rid of it. The fact is that all molds, not just black mold, are not welcome indoors. Here is a primer on mold so you can improve the quality of the breakroom chatter with facts.

Mold Is a Fungus

Molds are so common that most people can identify them by their fuzzy appearances, due to tiny little filaments called hyphae. The thousands of species of molds are fungi, and they need oxygen, moisture, and organic materials to survive, which means they can survive nearly everywhere. While they are surviving, they are digesting and destroying your building materials. Some molds, including black mold, give off mycotoxins. These are odorous gases resulting from the digestive process. You are also probably familiar with the dusty surface of molds, which are actually mold spores. They travel around the air and settle in areas, where if moist enough, they will take root and develop into colonies.

Mold Infestations Can Be Prevented

You can never fully get rid of mold in your building in Biscayne Park, FL because more spores will just come in through the doors or ventilation systems. Sometimes spores even travel inside by taking a ride on your clothing. Mold exists naturally in the environment, and if there is moisture then there is mold. Even though mold spores are everywhere, you can still take some simple steps to control mold and prevent infestations.

• Clean your building regularly, especially carpets and HVAC systems to prevent spore buildup.
• Reduce high humidity, which is a moisture problem, with good ventilation and proper use of air conditioning.
• Fix leaks and repair water-damaged building materials as soon as possible.

Once you find mold, you need to act fast to prevent damage and the spread of more colonies. The source of the water damage should be fixed immediately. Mold remediation professionals can help with mold cleanup, creating a containment area and special air scrubbers to prevent further spread of mold.