Ten Facts about mold

Mold is a word that strikes fear in many people.  There are stories of people becoming very sick because of mold, but I think it is important to be armed with the best information available.  Here is a list of facts about mold in homes.

1. Mold and mold spores are everywhere, even in every home in America.  Mold spores are the seed that starts mold growth and they enter the home on our cloths, during the building process, and open windows.  According to the US EPA, "There is no practical way to completely eliminate mold spores from indoor environments." 
2. There is no acceptable level of mold inside per the US EPA website.  Generally, everyone has a different tolerance for mold.  Also, mold can cause asthma attacks, runny nose, watery eyes, and more.  If you have someone in your family that is sensitive to mold, then you should have a mold remediation company inspect and test your home for mold.
3. Mold needs three things to grow; mold spore, the right temperature range, and moisture.  We already know that mold is everywhere.  Also, mold thrives in the same temperature range we keep our homes.  So the only thing we can control is moisture. This means not just standing water in the basement, but also humidity.  According to US EPA, you want to keep indoor relative humidity under 60%.  This means turning on your bathroom exhaust fan during and shortly after showers.  It also may require you to have a dehumidifier in your basement or crawlspace.
4. According to the Center for Disease Control, no one knows exactly how many species of molds exist.
5. Molds can be black, white, green, or other colors. 
6. Mold can be in plain sight or hidden in walls, furnace duct work, under carpet, or other inaccessible areas.
7. ​The only way to truly identify mold is with lab testing.  Yes, seeing black on drywall in the basement is a visible sign you may have a mold problem, but you cannot be 100% sure that it is mold without lab testing.
8. Mold can grow on paper products, wood, ceiling tiles, cardboard, dust, paints, wallpaper, fabric, and upholstery, according to the CDC.
9. Dead mold spores can cause allergic reactions according to the US EPA.
10. If you have a small amount of suspected surface mold it can be remediated with products like Concrobium Mold Control or simply removing the effected area.  If you have larger areas, it is a good idea to should seek the help of a mold remediation company.

For more information see www.epa.gov/mold and www.cdc.gov/mold.  Note: I am not a mold remediation contractor and my inspections exclude mold detection and identification.

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