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About Mold

About Mold

Molds are thought to trigger asthma and allergies in sensitive individuals.

A 1999 Mayo Clinic Study attributed nearly all the chronic sinus infections afflicting 37 million Americans to mold.

According to a 1999 Harvard University School of Public Health Study of 10,000 homes in North America, 50% of homes contain problem mold.

Recent studies also have linked molds to the tripling of the asthma rate over the past 20 years.

What is mold?

Mold (fungi) is present everywhere - indoors and outdoors. There are more than 100,000 species of mold. Commonly called mildew, molds grow on any porous and semi-porous surface, which include concrete, wallpaper, contaminated metal, cloth, leather, wood, sheetrock, insulation, and on human foods.

Molds reproduce by making spores that usually cannot be seen without magnification. When mold spores land on a damp spot, indoors, they may begin growing and digesting whatever they are growing on in order to survive. Molds gradually destroy the things they grow on.

Molds usually grow in damp places, behind shower walls. Water in the key - without it, molds cannot grow, much less spread. If water continues to sit and areas become saturated, the ideal environment is created for toxic molds to grow, such as Stachybotrys.

What causes mold?

Molds may grow at high levels indoors in a home or building, if the right environmental conditions exist. Factors that influence mold growth include: moisture sources, improperly ventilated bathrooms, high humidity levels, broken pipes and washing machine hoses, floods, leaking roofs, leaking exterior siding products, and leaking windows and doors.

Homeowners tips for eliminating mold

Moisture is the key to mold control, so when water leaks or spills occur indoors - act quickly. If wet or damp materials or areas are dried after a leak or spill happens, in most cases mold will not grow.

Clean and repair roof gutters regularly.

Make sure the ground slopes away from the building foundation, so that water does not enter or collect around the foundation.

Keep ar conditioning and refridgeration drip pans clean and the drain lines unobstructed and flowing properly.

Keep indoor humidity low.