We all know that mold is nothing more than a colored fungus, but what many of us might not realize is that there are thousands of species and each one has the potential to cause serious health problems. Molds are part of a group of organisms called fungi, which includes yeasts and mushrooms. In the wild, these organisms help break down dead organic matter, such as fallen leaves and dead trees. They play an important role in nature by helping to restore essential nutrients back into healthy soil. However, mold that’s found indoors is much more dangerous, as it can grow on just about any surface that contains water or moisture, including drywall, carpets, and even clothing. In fact, mold can be found in some very unusual places, such as the bathroom tile grout and the seal between shower curtains. When mold starts to grow indoors, it’s usually because there is too much moisture present in the air or some sort of decaying organic matter. Exposure to high concentrations of mold can lead to respiratory infections and illness, while chronic exposure may result in more serious conditions such as cancer and heart disease. If you suspect that your home contains mold, the best course of action is to contact a professional mold remediation company such as National Restoration Experts and have the mold removed as quickly as possible. They will able to help to tell you what are the causes of mold in your home.
Mold needs six major elements in order to develop. In this article, we will go over those six elements as well as some symptoms of mold exposure so that you have a better understanding of the dangers associated with mold.
6 Elements That Lead To And Trigger The Causes Of Mold Growth
- Mold Spores: The mold spores themselves are the initial component. Mold germs are abundant and virtually uniformly prevalent across the planet, making prevention difficult. Spores are imperceptible to the human eye and often enter your home from the outside. The most frequent way for spores to spread is by air movement, followed by introduction through contaminated objects. Mold spore removal from your house is very impossible. The only option you have is to keep everything under control. Mold cannot grow in the deserts or ice regions because they are simply too dry and cold. Mold also does not grow in lakes or beneath the ocean due to a lack of oxygen. Mold spores, on the other hand, will be present everywhere the following five elements appear, just waiting for the right circumstances to develop.
- Moisture: Mold cannot grow in the absence of moisture. Water is essential to all life, including mold. Mold cannot thrive at any given water content or humidity level. It is determined by a combination of all components. If it’s humid or even slightly moist, you can bet it’s a potential mold nursery. The longer wet circumstances persist, the more likely mold will begin to form. The majority of causes of mold in houses begins in unnoticed areas. A tiny plumbing leak beneath a bathroom or kitchen sink that goes undetected or neglected is the most typical cause of moisture. Mold can also grow in places you can’t see, such as ceilings where drips from roof leaks go unnoticed. Mold also infiltrates walls as a result of leakage from broken or separated water lines, drain-waste, and ventilation plumbing pipes. Condensation can also cause dampness if plumbing pipes are cold, and a high-humidity atmosphere causes of mold to sweat. It does not have to be standing water to provide enough moisture for mold to grow. Bathrooms are infamous for being a breeding ground for active causes of mold development. Shower corners that are never entirely dry are frequent locations for tiny, black spots to develop on grout lines. Mold can also be found in shower curtains and door tracks. Moisture is the fundamental requirement for causes of mold to exist. You can defeat the causes of mold if you eliminate sources of moisture.
- Food Source: Mold is a living organism that needs nourishment to exist and proliferate. Outdoors, where plants and other organic elements abound, food sources are virtually unlimited. Mold may be found in woods everywhere, from under ancient logs to tree trunks. It may be found in the soil and grass. Mold may even be found on rocks. Your house, on the other hand, is a different matter. It’s also full of mold food that you wouldn’t expect to find. Mold grows in your bathroom vanity or a closet corner because it feeds on the organic elements found in wood panels or wallboard. It also feeds on microscopic quantities of dust and debris that are present regardless of how well you clean. Mold may grow on a variety of surfaces in your house. It may feed on attic or wall insulation, as well as the back of gypsum sheetrock. Mold eats away at the surface of garments and baggage. It eats residue left on smooth tile surfaces as well as tiny contaminants trapped within porous floors such as carpets. It also enjoys moist cardboard, newspapers, and textiles. Mold may also obtain nourishment from the air. Spores aren’t the only microorganisms in the air that circulate in your house and that you breathe. Mold may feed on a variety of airborne particles, including dust and pollen. Other mold species’ spores are also present in the air, which add to their diet. Removing the causes of mold like the feeding source is neither practical nor possible. The key is to regulate the other factors, particularly the warm, dark, and wet areas where mold thrives. This includes an oxygen supply.
- Oxygen Supply: Mold cannot survive in the absence of oxygen. Mold needs oxygen to grow and reproduce. Mold cannot execute the biological process of dividing cells and forming bulk in the absence of oxygen. This involves producing spores on a consistent basis, which it relies on to propagate. Air does not only contribute to the physical, chemical, and biological causes of mold. Mold spores are transported by air movement, which allows them to travel from one area to another. That spread may be as small as an inch or two within a tight nook, or it could extend across the floor, between rooms, or throughout the entire home. It is important to understand that it does not require a lot of air to help mold grow. Air can still be found inside wall cavities and behind insulation. Ambient air is still present in sealed boxes and closed containers, and it helps mold colonies survive. Trapped air has oxygen, and it doesn’t take much for causes of mold. It is nearly hard to remove air in locations where mold would grow, just as it is nearly impossible to remove food sources. In fact, plenty of air is one of the most effective anti-mold weapons. Moving air through appropriate ventilation allows surfaces to dry by evaporating moisture that may be free or confined in enclosed areas. It all boils down to moisture control, as it is mold’s strongest ally in guaranteeing life. That, and a scarcity of sunlight.
- Lack of Sunlight: Mold dies when exposed to direct sunshine. Natural sunlight’s UV rays damage mold’s cellular structure. This is why the causes of mold is only found outside in dim or gloomy locations, such as beneath a forest canopy or on north-facing rock faces and tree trunks. Indoor lighting does not have the same negative impact on mold as outside lighting. The spectrum of artificial illumination differs from that of sunshine and does not release the same sort of photons that kill mold and halt its growth. While mold prefers low light or even complete darkness, it may still thrive in houses with incandescent or fluorescent lighting. It is not possible to illuminate your entire house in sunshine, but there are indoor lighting options available that mimic the sun’s wavelengths and can kill mold through exposure. Unfortunately, this is not feasible nor cost-effective. Mold will grow in those unavoidable areas where light is scarce but warm and moist circumstances prevail. Having the proper temperature makes it easier for causes of mold to grow.
- Optimal Temperature: Mold does not thrive in extremely cold or hot environments. Mold does not grow in the polar areas, nor does it grow in the Sahara Desert. Mold will be destroyed or rendered latent by freezing. Mold’s cellular structure is likewise destroyed when it is burned, stopping it from growing and replicating. The temperature conditions inside most homes are ideal for mold colonies to thrive. Mold thrives in temperatures ranging from 72 to 81 degrees Fahrenheit, or 22 to 27 degrees Celsius, especially if the environment is wet and dark. Mold spores cannot live at the freezing point, but they can survive at temperatures that are uncomfortable for humans. Relative humidity levels are also essential in permitting moldy conditions to develop. High humidity creates a damp, moist atmosphere that fosters mold development. The EPA advises that you keep your home’s relative humidity between 30 and 50 percent, with a maximum of 60 percent. Any humidity levels over that will lead to causes of mold. Controlling the temperature in your house to combat mold is ineffective. Although optimal temperature is a component of the six-element equation that allows mold to exist, it is a small role in comparison to moisture.
If you regulate the moisture in your house, you’ll be well on your way to avoiding mold from growing. However, this is easier said than done since the moisture that causes of mold to grow can be difficult to detect. Let’s walk through your house and look at the most probable areas you’ll find mold. We’ll also figure out where the unwelcome or unexpected water is coming from.
A Mold Removal Company Serving South Florida
Contact National Restoration Experts at 754-216-4660 now for 24 hour water damage restoration, fire damage restoration, or mold remediation, or receive a quick mold cleanup quote from our website. In 30 to 60 minutes, our crew will arrive at your south Florida house or office.
Read more here about how to determine the whether or not you have mold in your home.