Mold: Questions You Might Be Afraid to Ask

1/10/2023 (Permalink)

Mold growth in bathtub caulking

FAQ: Mold

Mold is a fungus that can grow on many surfaces indoors. It thrives in warm, damp environments. When you breathe in mold spores, they can cause health problems. If your home has mold growing on walls, ceilings, or floors, we recommend hiring a professional to remove the mold and make repairs before it spreads further into the structure of your home. Here are some common questions about mold that you may not know the answers to:

What is mold?

It is true that mold can be found almost everywhere. While it's not always bad to have a few molds in your home, if you have an extensive problem or there are people who are allergic to them, it can become a serious problem. Molds are a type of fungus that comes in many shapes and forms. In fact, there are over 100,000 different types of molds!

Mold spores are microscopic organisms that grow on almost any surface (such as wood or paper). They spread by releasing millions of spores into the air around them—and if these spores land somewhere with enough moisture and food (like in your carpet), they'll start growing more molds. This means that mold moves around from place to place easily; which means you could get some from one room to another just by going from one room to another!

How does mold get in my home?

You're not alone in your fear of mold. It's a problem that affects the health of millions of people, and it can be hard to tell if you have mold growing in your home. Mold spores are everywhere—in soil, plants, trees, on all kinds of surfaces—and they're brought into homes by air currents. They can also enter through windows and doors when they're left open or there's been a water leak in the house. If you leave a window or door open during bad weather, this is another way for mold spores to get inside.

The most common way for mold to get into your home is via water leaks such as those caused by floods or burst pipes (or even from taking showers!). If you notice any dampness on walls or ceilings that doesn't go away after drying out properly then chances are good that it's because of some kind of leak somewhere inside the building itself - which means there may be hidden problems with moisture control that need addressing before long!

What does mold need to grow?

Mold needs a few things to grow. The first thing is moisture. It's no secret that mold thrives in damp environments, but it can grow even if there is just a little bit of moisture present. The second thing mold needs to grow is food sources for its colonies. This means any organic material like wood, drywall, or cardboard makes for an ideal food source for mold to consume as it grows. Mold also needs temperatures between 70-90 degrees Fahrenheit (21-32 Celsius) to survive.

Can mold grow on my clothes?

Yes, mold can grow on clothes. It’s actually common for mold to grow in your dryer lint trap and on damp clothes when you hang them up to dry. Whether or not your clothing is likely to sustain damage from this depends largely on what kind of fabric it is made from. Dry cleaning materials are more resistant to mold than other fabrics, but they can still become damaged if you don’t remove the moldy clothing right away.

Can mold grow on tile and grout or bathtub caulking?

Yes, mold can grow on tile and grout. Mold growth on grout may be more likely in an area that has had moisture problems or where there is poor ventilation. In addition, if the grout is older than 10 years old, it may be more porous and vulnerable to fungal growth.

Mold can also grow on bathtub caulking around the tub edge or between a bathtub and its surrounding wall. If you have questions about whether your caulking needs cleaning or replacing, contact a professional contractor for advice before doing any work yourself.

Why should I hire a professional to clean up a mold problem in my home?

Mold remediation is a specialized field. While most contractors can remove mold, they don't have the expertise and equipment needed to fully clean up your home and prevent future mold growth. If you hire a professional contractor, they will use specialized equipment to safely remove all of the molds in your home. They'll also make sure that there are no hidden reservoirs of moisture where more mold can grow later on. If you want your home to be completely safe from future molds, hire a professional like SERVPRO of Central East Baton Rouge. We will remediate the mold in your Baton Rouge, LA home and get you back to normal as quickly as possible. 

Top 5 Residential Mold Causes

9/2/2020 (Permalink)

Knowing the factors that cause black mold is half the battle.

There are many reasons why you might find black mold growing in your home. At the end of the day, the key factor contributing to unwanted mold growth is excessive moisture. Read on to see whether the moisture problem plaguing your home in Baker, LA, is caused by any of the following issues.

1. Flooding
Water damage caused by flooding is almost always accompanied by some form of secondary damage. The vast majority of the time, this secondary damage is unwanted mold growth. Floods can dampen your home for days or even weeks after the initial incident. Take into account the fact that it only takes about 24 hours of continuous moisture for mold to form, and that's the source of your problem.

2. Humidity
Monitoring your home's indoor humidity levels is super important when it comes to preventing black mold. Continuous rainy weather, poor ventilation, and indoor humidifiers are all contributing factors. Prevent mold growth by keeping your indoor humidity levels below 55%.

3. Condensation
Condensation and humidity seem to go hand-in-hand. When the indoor humidity levels are too high, you're likely to find condensation forming on your window panes. This can lead to unwanted mold growth on your window sills.

4. Poor Ventilation
Ventilation issues are most common in residential bathrooms. Hot showers can cause a lot of steam and condensation to build up. Add poor ventilation into the mix and this excessive moisture has no choice but to stick around and invite mold. Shower with the window cracked or the ventilation fan on to help moisture escape.

5. Leaky Pipes
Leaky pipes are a huge issue, especially since they can often go unnoticed for long periods of time. Make sure to regularly check exposed water pipes in your basement and underneath each sink so you can catch leaks early.

Knowing the factors that cause black mold is half the battle. Even if you take every necessary precaution, it's still possible to find mold growing in your home. If this is the case, make sure to contact remediation experts to assist in your mold cleanup efforts.

Smart Ways To Control Mold Growth at Home

8/10/2020 (Permalink)

Water damage can be costly and stressful for any homeowner.

As hard as you may try, mold can show up in just about any home. When conditions are right, mold can thrive and even take over large areas of your house. This unpleasant situation can cause a lot of anxiety and frustration. There are some effective ways you can increase your protection against this fungal growth. Much of these concerns avoiding water damage and being aware of plumbing issues at home.

Regular Inspections
Older homes in Baton Rouge, LA, may be prone to water damage and other related concerns, but even newer houses aren't immune. At least once a year, you should carefully examine the following areas:

Inspect the roof for missing shingles or weak spots.
Check the rain gutters and downspouts for drainage problems.
Look for pipe leaks.
Examine appliances for leaks or other water problems.

Tune-up the Ventilation System
Mold growth occurs in areas of the home where there is high humidity. Bathrooms, the basement, the attic, and the cellar are common areas where you'll find such conditions. Good airflow is critical in these spots. Make sure the ventilation is good here. Check vents to ensure they are not clogged. Maintain the HVAC system so air is moving consistently.

Make the Necessary Repairs Promptly
If you find standing water or leaks anywhere, you should clean it up immediately. Also, contact a plumber or a professional water cleanup company to help you repair the issue causing the flooding. You can have successful mold prevention by your diligence in the maintenance and upkeep of your systems and appliances. Putting off any repairs can lead to the rapid spread of mold. Some growth occurs because of weeks, months, or even years of undetected water leaks.

Water damage can be costly and stressful for any homeowner. Not only can it ruin belongings and building materials, but you can also find mold. Following these tips can help you prevent this.