Nobody wants mold in their house so learning as much as you can about the fungi can help you remove and prevent them from your home. Here are eight lesser known facts about mold that will assist you to keep it at bay. 

1. Mold is everywhere

Mold exists everywhere, having the vital function of helping organic matter decompose. Tiny mold spores are everywhere, too, including in your home. Many molds are harmless, but the problem arises when the fleas begin growing in moist areas of your property.

2. There are more than 100,000 Distinct types of mold

There are over 100,000 known species of mold, most of which exist outside the house. Not all types of mold can make you sick and some are even used in medicine. On the other hand, the mold species found in homes can be harmful. Common mold types found in buildings are Cladosporium, Aspergillus, Penicillium, Stachybotrys, and Alternaria.

3. Mold can grow on many surfaces

Mold thrives in moisture-prone areas, such as the bathroom or basement, but also hidden areas like behind walls. Mold prefers organic or porous surfaces to grow on. While mold can not grow on non-organic surfaces like concrete, it may grow on dust or dirt layers on these surfaces.

4. Mold starts growing in 24 to 48 hours

In the right conditions, mold can grow in as quickly as 24-48 hours following a water damage event. The ideal conditions for mold growth are a food source (organic substance like drywall), moisture, and a perfect temperature of 77 °F — 88 °F. Therefore, water damage remediation is critical to preventing mold growth following flooding.

5. Painting over mold does not eliminate it

It is never a great idea to paint over a mold-infested surface. Mold will eat throughout the paint and reappear on the wall. Before applying a fresh coat of paint, then you have to completely remove the mold. Pick a mold-resistant kind of paint.

6. Mold can grow on Christmas trees

Mold may also”decorate” your Christmas tree, growing under garlands and lights. All vegetation, such as live Christmas trees has mold spores in them. The heat inside the home and moisture on the shrub can activate mold growth on its own branches.

To avoid Christmas tree mold in your house, make use of artificial trees and decorations. If you would rather live trees, hose down them before bringing them inside to remove mold spores. Do not maintain the tree in your house for too long to prevent mold from developing.

7. Bleach does not kill mold

A lot of men and women use bleach to eliminate mold in their homes. The simple truth is that bleach kills reside mold, but not mold spores. What’s more, removing mold with water and bleach can create mold regrow even quicker. To remove a small-scale (less than 10 square feet) mold infestation, then use a mixture of household detergent and water.

8. Insurance policies often do not cover mold

Most homeowner’s insurance policies cover mold damage only in certain situations. If mold arises after accidents like fire, lightning, or sudden water issues, then mold remediation is covered. However, you might not have coverage in the event the source of moisture that caused mold was because of neglected maintenance of the property.

For more information about mold removal and prevention, take a look at 5 myths about mold debunked and how to tell whether you have a mold problem in your house. For mold removal and water damage restoration services, contact your local PuroClean Georgetown office.