The Risks and Causes of Mold Growth in the Home

The presence of moisture in and around a home is often considered normal for some homes. However, moisture if not properly handled can become a nightmare problem for a home and the health of its occupants. Moisture that does not dry up on its own can lead to a mold problem almost anywhere in a home.

While mold may appear as a harmless dark spot here and there, mold spots are far from harmless. Mold is a fungal bacterium that can get into people’s lungs and make them very sick. Mold can also affect the skin, eyes, and nose and can also have the same effects on pets as it does on humans.

In its initial stages, mold appears as small spots and may be in a single area such as on a patch of a bathroom wall. However, because mold is filled with living unhealthy bacteria, it grows and spreads if left unattended. A small patch on a wall can easily soon become the size of a sheet of paper if not addressed readily. If the mold is on the surface it can usually be removed with a water-bleach compound.

But if the mold is subsurface and the source of the moisture is inside the wall, the problem can often become much bigger and require professional mold remediation. Mold can start on a surface portion of a wall and spread throughout the back wall and render the entire in need of replacement. Once extensive areas of mold are discovered, proper mold remediation and restoration are the only solutions.

The Causes of Home Mold Growth

Mold growth starts when moisture is left for an extended time on almost any surface. Mold often grows in dark areas. In larger quantities, mold can create enough mycotoxins to significantly affect health. In small amounts, mold can often be reacted to much in the way people react to an allergen.

In larger quantities, mold can impair lung function, cause skin rashes, affect the neurological responses of the body and in extreme cases can be fatal. That is why the health department will shut down certain buildings, homes, and properties with a mold problem that is considered “severe”. In these cases, the only solution is professional mold remediation and restoration.

Mold is often seen growing on food as it ages, especially when unrefrigerated. But mold in a building can readily grow on walls, brick, roof tiles, plaster, sheetrock, bathroom tiles, furnishings, clothes, carpet and throughout bathrooms, kitchens, laundry areas, basements and more.

Mold Remediation and Restoration

The good news, even extensive mold can be professionally removed from surfaces and the health risk from it can be neutralized. If the problem becomes extensive, then hiring a mold remediation specialist is the best and safest way to combat the problem and safely restore the home for habitation.

When deciding how extensive a mold problem is, homeowners should try to use a bleach and water combination to remove the mold. If this takes care of the problem and no further signs of mold appear, it is likely just a surface mold problem.

By contrast, if the mold keeps resurfacing in walls and on floors that have recently been cleaned, the likelihood is that the mold is running inside the material. If this is evident, a tulsa mold remediation specialist should be called in for the safe restoration of the space.

Protection Against Mold Growth

The best defense against mold is not letting water areas of a home build up moisture. Prevention of excess moisture is always accomplished through keeping water areas dried out and using cleaning products that build barriers against the proliferation of mold. A water and bleach compound is one of the main products used for this.

Main Areas of Concern for Mold Build-Up

Some of the key areas that are inclined to mold growth include:

• Bathrooms
• Under Kitchen Sinks
• Laundry Rooms
• Basements
• Around Plumbing Leaks
• Roof Tiles

Bathroom Mold – Bathrooms are considered the top producer of home mold. Much of this is because of the steam related to showers and the propensity for pipe leaks, tub leaks, and toilet seal breaks. Bathrooms that are not properly ventilated with a vent fan or window can easily gather moisture buildup creating mold growth.

Plumbing Leaks – Plumbing leaks can cause major mold growth in walls, on ceilings, and in floors. This is a major concern that can require professional mold remediation if the leak is left unnoticed or unattended for an extended time. Plumbing going into bathtub faucets can cause leaks on ceilings and entire areas of sheetrock may require replacement if this occurs.

Kitchen Sinks – While this is not often a big problem, sinks areas are known harbingers of mold. Checking for leaks under the sink and having them repaired quickly if they arise is the best way to protect against mold build up in kitchen sink areas.

Laundry Rooms- Laundry areas can be a place for mold growth around piping into the washing machine or leakage areas. Usually, mold growth in this area is not predominant and can be cleaned easily with a bleach and water compound. However, any water leak that is left unattended can cause significant mold to build up that requires a professional mold remediation service if not caught early.

Basement Moisture – Basements that have an excess moisture problem should have de-humidifiers running whenever it’ most apparent. In most instances, winter and late spring are the worst time for moisture in basements. Winter can be especially difficult in damp basements because people don’t often open their home to the outside air in the winter months.

In the springtime, excess rains are often the causes of damp basements. This is especially true for homes with sump pumps or homes that have water leaking in from outside. Basements that flood because of weather, burst pipes or hot water tank breaks will often have a mold problem. In this case, professionals should be called to remove the water and complete restoration of the area. Mold remediation should always be done if mold growth has become significant.

Roof Tile Mold – Roofs that have large tree overhangs can be a big concern for mold growth. Mold on roof tiles can permeate attic space, sub-roofing, and structural support systems. If the mold growth enters the structure of the roofing, replacement of roof tiles, roof structure material restoration and mold remediation of the attic space may become necessary.

Don’t Let Mold Damage Create Further Problems

When the inevitable happens, and your building or home requires mold remediation, call Reset Restoration mold remediation experts immediately. We provide 24/7/365 emergency mold remediation response. If you have joined our free PREP program, immediate priority response is included, along with many other special no-charge services.

If your friends, family and neighbors have had significant mold damage to homes or businesses you can contact Reset Restoration mold remediation experts in Tulsa 24/7 to inquire about Tulsa mold remediation services. Call Reset Restoration today at (918) 582-7373.

Follow Reset Restoration on Facebook!