Cedar Management Group Blog
What is Mold? Molds are microscopic organisms. They are a natural part of our environment and their job is to break down dead and deteriorating materials as well as recycle the nutrients back into the environment. Molds play an important role in our environmental cycle and they are naturally present almost everywhere including inside your home, on your clothes, on foods and in the very air you breathe. The vast majorities of people have developed natural immunity to molds in their normal levels and do not see any effects to their health and in everyday life. The largest concerns with molds are when the mold spore counts become elevated in an enclosed area such as a home, basement, or other inhabitable areas.
Almost all increased levels of mold growth inside a home are a result of higher than normal moisture conditions. This can be a result from flooding, roof and plumbing leaks, steam or condensation in poorly ventilated kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms, condensation from air conditioning systems, damp basement, or anything else in the home that could create above normal moisture levels or high humidity. The results of the increased moisture can be molds, mushrooms, mildews, or other fungi, and if left untreated, will continue to grow. When left to grow, it can increase the amount of damages to the home and, in the worst case scenarios, create conditions where the home is uninhabitable.
The best way to prevent mold growth is to repair any leaks or high moisture issues that could result in mold growth as soon as possible. Typical indications of a small plumbing, roof, or air conditioning leak may include small amounts of standing water inside the home, localized discoloration of the ceiling, walls, or even warping floors. Indications of high humidity levels that could be caused by steam or excessive humidity in bathrooms, kitchen, laundry rooms, or around air conditioning vent may be noticed by areas of condensation that builds up on walls, ceilings, glass or metal surfaces, or other areas. Any major water leaks that occur from flooding or a major plumbing leak should be stopped immediately and the home should be dried out immediately to prevent any growth from occurring. In the event of a major leak, drywall and flooring may need to be removed in order to dry the areas between walls or between the levels of a building.
In the event of an existing presence of mold growth, it is best to contact a company who is experienced in handling, treating, and removing mold in a quick and safe manner. In some isolated cases, an Industrial Hygienist may also need to be called for mold testing. Such testing can be an expensive and time-consuming process. Samples are taken inside and outside of the home, sent to a lab for testing, and then later compared to determine if there is more than a normal amount of mold within the home. For the vast majority of cases, mold is noticeable and it is best to simply have it treated and removed as quickly as possible.
I have run into quite a bit of inaccurate or misleading information about mold and the effects of mold in discussions with uninformed individuals, on the internet and from other various sources. For credible information regarding this subject, I would suggest visiting the websites for the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) at www.cdc.gov/mold and EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) at www.epa.gov/moldfor more accurate information on mold and its effects.
