How Does Mold Spread?

10/1/2019 (Permalink)

When water is introduced the colony can grow quickly.

Let's face it.. Mold can happen anywhere, even in your St. Louis, MO home! Much like a cold virus spreads through the air looking for a host, mold spores travel through the air looking for the next hospitable environment to latch onto.. Crazy right? Any damp, fibrous material is a prime breeding ground for mold.

What Causes Mold To Spread?

As mold grows, it releases spores. These spores travel easily through the air, especially when disturbed. When performing cleanup of mold, it is important to minimize spreading mold spores by taking some precautions:

• Turn off all fans
• Protect from breezes
• Lower humidity
• Isolate the area
• Isolate moldy objects

Is It Mold?

Mold can grow on any fibrous material when enough moisture is present. This includes carpets, furniture and drywall. Did you know there are at least 35 species of mold, ranging in color, texture and size. If you have any type of water damage or humidity and see something new covering an area, you should suspect mold. Even if you cannot see mold, a musky odor may indicate that mold is present but out of sight. Mold multiplies very quickly! A Very small spot can turn into a large area of mold. If the spores become airborne, you will soon see the same pattern in another area. Once you suspect mold, you should immediately isolate the area and begin cleanup efforts.

How Can Moldy Areas Be Cleaned?

If your moldy area is small, you can attempt to clean it yourself, but be very careful to avoid spreading or breathing in mold spores. If your area is larger, or have black mold we recommend you a specialist to help you out. Specialists are specifically trained to clean mold without spreading spores. They also have specialized protective gear that you may not have access to, such as masks and protective suits.
If you suspect you have mold or spreading mold, you need to hire mold remediation expert to resolve the problem and restore your property to its original condition.

If you have anymore questions don't hesitate to ask SERVPRO of St. Louis Central today!