If your home is prone to mold, you know that it is sometimes difficult to tell which are dangerous and which are not. Alternaria is the most common as it is a fungus from the Deuteromycetes variety that leads to serious health and foundation problems. If you are unsure of how mold starts and what signs to look for, our mold remediation experts are on call 24/7 to help you.
How Does Mold Start?
Mold starts as microscopic spores that group together on surface areas and multiply rapidly in damp, dark, and humid areas. According to the EPA, mold spores are between two and 100 microns in diameter. The tiniest spores travel through the air, which is why detection in a home can be difficult.
5 Common Causes of Mold Remediation
It is important to know that mold spores will grow anywhere in a home. Alternaria is the most common mold because it only needs water or moisture to grow from these common causes.
- Poor Air Quality
Homes in Eastern Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire commonly experience mold and wood rot due to poor air quality. Humidity is caused by a phenomenon called the stack effect in which hot air travels up toward the attic (or second floor) and produces a vacuum that pulls new air into the lower level of the home, such as in the basement or crawl space.
As the lower levels of a home tend to be underground, the air is naturally cooler. When the temperature in the air decreases, the humidity increases and becomes full of water vapor. A single temperature variation can cause the humidity to increase by 2.2%. The introduction of exterior hot air will cause humidity levels to rise above 100% and produce condensation.
- Leaky Pipes
The EPA found that the average home loses more than 10,000 gallons of water annually, which makes leaky pipes one of the most common reasons for mold growth. As pipes can be found within walls and under floorboards, it can be difficult to find them until mold accumulates. A mold remediation specialist can check for any hidden moisture.
- Leaky Roofs
The average lifespan of a home’s roof is between twenty and fifty years, but wear-and-tear commonly occurs because of inclement weather patterns and rodents. As roofs leak, the water drains into the attic, walls, and air vents, causing mold to grow. Having annual roof checks will greatly reduce the risk of leaks that cause harmful mold growth.
- Flooding & Poor Drainage Systems
Whether it is from a hurricane or the rising of rainwater, homes with poor drainage systems can cause flooding to occur. One of the most common results of a flood is mold growth since families are unable to return to their residences until it is safe. The lack of access hinders mitigation and allows Stachybotrys chartarum, a black mold, to grow.
- Wet Household Materials
Have your children ever thrown damp towels in the hamper only to realize when doing laundry that mold has grown? Household items are notorious for causing mold growth, especially on carpets, clothes, and bedding. In such damp spaces, it takes just a day for spores to gather and grow. Don’t worry! Restore Pro cleans your household items, too.
To learn more about mold, visit our Facebook page at https:///www.facebook.com/RestorePro911/.
To speak with our mold experts or to schedule an appointment, call our office at 1-800-847-0114.