Do Most Houses Have Mold?

Do Most Houses Have Mold?

Mold is a naturally occurring organism, so by default, every house actually contains mold. A problem arises, however, when the density of mold inside becomes greater than the amount of mold outside. This is what leads to mold damage and the need for mold remediation in your home. Many times mold damage is caused by a catastrophic event such as storm or flood damage, but small leaks or pools of moisture can also wrack up big damage when mold is involved. Mold remediation needs to occur 24-48 hours after mold damage, so you need to be on the lookout for mold before it takes over.

What Mold Is

Mold is a fungus that grows best in warm, humid environments and feeds on dust and dirt. Although naturally occurring in the outside world, when it gets inside your home and conditions are right, it can run wild. If you are wondering if you have mold in your house, look for black marks or smudges, and the telltale musty smell that signifies mold. There are many varieties of mold that can live inside your home, but toxic mold creates the most mold damage and need for mold remediation. Toxic mold can make home occupants sick with flu-like symptoms, headaches, stomach aches, and even mental troubles like confusion. If your home contains toxic mold you need to have mold remediation done to make your home safe and livable again.

Where to Find Mold

Mold grows wherever it can find what it needs to survive: moisture, humidity, and a food source. In your home, this is most likely a dank basement, a bathroom, or any place that has suffered a water leak or pipe damage. Since mold eats dirt, and it is impossible to keep your home entirely dust free, it stands to reason that mold is part of every home. But this doesn’t necessarily mean you have mold damage that requires mold remediation. If you have experienced a flood, a leaky roof, or a burst pipe, the mold that occurs naturally in your home could blossom and spread, causing prolific mold damage.

How to Avoid it

There are many easy tricks you can use to avoid mold damage and the need for mold remediation in your home. Here are some of the easiest:

  • Keep the humidity below 60 percent.
  • Watch for pipe leaks.
  • Immediately dry any moisture on window ledges.
  • Check the roof and gutters for leaks or problems.
  • Make sure the yard slopes away from the house.
  • Do not let moisture linger anywhere.
  • Increase ventilation.
  • Run fans in your bathroom.

Many people panic when they hear the word mold, but in most cases mold is simply a natural occurring fungus that lives inside and outside your home. If given too much humidity, moisture, or food, it could cause damage, especially in the case of toxic mold. Being on the lookout for mold damage caused by leaks or storms is important, as mold remediation needs to occur right away. And there are certainly many tips to help you avoid a mold problem in your home. Although the word mold causes people to worry, most of the time it is not a cause for concern.

For more info or to schedule a consultation contact us today at 678-653-5425