Primary Areas Mold Damage Typically Strikes Most Often

04 Jan Primary Areas Mold Damage Typically Strikes Most Often

Whatever the cause may be, mold can cause severe damage to your home and cause severe health problems. Our Long Beach Mold Remediation Experts be helping you look at three areas where mold damage is most common and what steps you can take in order to stop it spreading.

What Causes Mold In a House?

Mold can be caused by everything from foundation and roof leaks to an overflowing washer or high interior humidity.

There are many types of mold . However, they all share one thing in common:

1. They continue to strive for the best of all things organic.
2. Their digestive enzymes need to function properly without moisture.

Mold isn’t animals nor plants. Mold is  actually a type fungus composed of microscopic organisms that contain enzymes or spores. They’re responsible for decomposing and digesting, as well as reproduction.

It is not all bad, but that is what you need to know about mold. It would be impossible to make penicillin or cheese without it. Also, fallen trees and fruits and vegetables wouldn’t fall apart. Mold can affect the structure, appearance, and smelt of homes by attaching itself to things that we don’t like.

Mold growth is possible in any house that has heat, oxygen and darkness. The mold spores naturally found in your home can be made worse by moisture, flooding, high humidity, or a leaking pipe. It is possible to prevent mold damage in your home by knowing where it occurs most often.

Most Mold Damage is Often

To thrive and establish themselves, mold and mildew require a damp environment. Common organic materials that mold loves are wallpaper, insulation and carpet backing.

Mold damage can cause:

• Walls, in which it leaves white spiderweb like growths or clusters small black specks.
• The air which you breathe creates a smell that is often called “musty.”
• Steps and floors which can be slippery or dangerous to walk on.

While molds don’t usually cause structural damage or wood rot, they can cause havoc that leads other fungi to step in.

Mold needs moisture to survive, grow, and reproduce. This cannot be overemphasized. When it comes to removing mold from your home, you need to address any moisture issues immediately.

Mold can quickly develop from water damage, sewage backup flooding, a roof leak, a damp crawlspace or overflowing bathtubs or sinks. It will grow and spread until the source of moisture is eliminated and all mold is eradicated.

Here are three areas that mold commonly grows in moist houses.

Bathrooms

Badly ventilated bathrooms can lead to structural damage and growth of mold. Mold loves the warm and moist environment found in bathrooms. When it appears on a tile, bathroom mold is easy for you to identify. There are many other places where you can find it.

• There are many surfaces that mold can attach itself to, including shower curtains, bathroom products bottles and faucets.
• If toilets are left to “air dry”, they often have standing water which attracts mold. Mold can easily spread from there to toothbrush holders, soap dishes, and cleaning products. The narrow space behind the toilet is also a popular place to grow mold.
• Mold can grow quickly in walls and floors when a toilet is clogged or overflows. Regularly opening windows and using a ventilation fan in baths and showers helps to remove humidity.

You should be aware that if your toilet overflows because of a sewage backup you might experience “Category3 black water”, which is raw sewage and bacteria. This can pose severe health risks.

Don’t try to remove this water yourself. Hire a professional Long Beach Mold Remediation Expert who is familiar with the equipment and has the expertise to do the job safely.

Kitchens and Laundry Rooms

We have all seen the mold grow on old leftovers and dirty dishes left in the sink. Running hot water or steam from pots can cause mold to grow quickly and increase humidity in the kitchen. Look for kitchen mold:

• You can find mold under, around and in the sinks. Wet sponges can be a breeding ground for mold, as can leaky faucets. But, under the sink is where the greatest risk lies. A minor leak from a pipe can lead to mold infestation.
• The pantry and refrigerator contain water dispensers as well as drip trays.
• In the microwave and on the stove, any food that spills or splatters can be a breeding ground for mold.
• Common kitchen surfaces such as wood cutting boards and trash cans are common, as well as windowsills.

Garages and Crawlspaces

Mold thrives in crawlspaces, garages and attics because people spend less time there. This allows for mold to grow quickly. These utility area are well-known for their ability to harbor mold and facilitate its rapid growth.

1. If left untreated, attic mold could quickly spread to the rest of your house. It can be found on roofs, near leaks or in insulation. To prevent mold damage from your attic, it is crucial to fix a roof leak quickly.
2. Garage mold is usually caused by water damage from washing machines, or pipe leaks. It is often found in the areas where standing water accumulates, such as under or behind doors and windows, and around storage shelves.
3. While the amount of mold damage in crawlspaces is typically less than in full basements, it can still cause serious problems if left untreated. Crawlspace mould is often found near sump pumps and ductwork.

Walls and ceilings are just a few of the areas that mold can grow in your house.

Mold Levels

Mold damage is a serious risk for homes that are moist. It is important to act quickly and efficiently when mold problems are detected in your home.

A homeowner may be able to safely remove mold if they have the right tools. Sometimes, however, professional mold removal and remediation is required, especially if the cause of the mold growth is not known. This guide will help you to determine how serious the mold problem in your home is.

1. Mold damage level 1: It’s unlikely that mold contamination has been caused by HVAC or structural issues. This level is easy to control and can usually be remedied by cleaning affected surfaces. It is possible to eliminate Level 1 mold quickly and effectively. Mold removal should be done by an expert who is familiar with allergy, asthma, and immune disorders. Personal protective gear, such as goggles, gloves and a disposable respirator, should be worn by anyone doing the work. Proper ventilation is crucial for the cleaning area.
2. Level-2 Mold Damage: Level-2 mold refers to contaminated areas of ten to thirty square feet. It is possible to resolve the problem without professional assistance. However, this could indicate a problem with your AC or plumbing. If you have experienced mold damage, it is important that your property be inspected thoroughly. Long Beach Mold Remediation Experts are trained to locate the source of moisture, and then take preventative measures to stop mold growth.
3. Level3 Mold Damage: Large growth areas exceeding 30 square feet indicate that there is a major plumbing or AC issue and need to be addressed immediately. This level of mold damage is most severe for ceiling tiles and wallboard panels. Remediation surfaces are required to test, define the extent of the damage, and determine what cleanup steps will be necessary. To manage Level 3 mold damage, it is a good idea to hire a professional Long Beach Mold Remediation Expert.
4. Level4 Mold Damage: Mold contamination of more than 100 square feet can pose serious health and safety issues. It is essential that professionals are hired to clean up the mess. They have been trained in handling dangerous materials. Remediation of Level 4 mold can be a complicated and time-consuming task so it is essential that you hire qualified, properly licensed Long Beach Mold Remediation Experts.
5. Level5 Mold Damage: This is a problem with HVAC systems and air conditioning units. It can affect any area. This should only be remedied by professionals who understand the best ways to protect your family’s home.

While Level 1 and 2 mold damage isn’t considered dangerous, they don’t usually pose a danger to your health or the structural integrity of your home. Level 2 mold damage may quickly escalate to a Level 3.

You can manage a mold problem much easier if you recognize it sooner than later. These steps can help detect mold early on and get rid of it to avoid further problems.

1. Be on the lookout for any signs of mold growth within your home. These signs include walls bulging and paint blistering on the walls or loose tiles. They can also cause allergic reactions by causing a musty odor, spongy floors, or a metallic taste to your home.
2. Inspect the areas most likely to become visible mold as described above.
3. You can collect mold samples from the air and other surfaces using an in-home mould testing kit. This will allow you to determine the level of mold growth and the relative concentration. Remember that mold growth can be rapid and unpredictable, so test results may not always be reliable.
4. If you suspect mold growth or serious damage to your home, have it professionally tested by a Long Beach Mold Remediation Expert. The expertise and equipment required to analyze mold samples is available only to professionals. They can guarantee that your results will be accurate and complete. This will allow you to identify the most effective measures to remove mold from your home and fix the source of moisture.