How can you tell if you have a mold problem?
Why is mold growing in my home?
Is mold dangerous to humans?
How quickly does mold grow?
How can you prevent mold from spreading?
How do I get rid of mold?
Is mold in my crawl space affecting my home?
Is mold in my attic affecting my home?
Should I have mold testing done in my home?
What should I do, I think that mold is making me sick?

How can you tell if you have a mold problem?
Mold can be present without the appearance of visible mold. It requires moisture to survive, so it is often found in areas with water damage or excessive humidity. Musty odors are an indication of a mold problem. If you think that you might have a hidden mold problem, you can hire a professional for testing or sampling.
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Why is mold growing in my home?
Molds are part of the natural environment. Outdoors, molds play a part in nature by breaking down dead organic matter such as fallen leaves and dead trees, but indoors, mold growth should be avoided. Molds reproduce by means of tiny spores; the spores are invisible to the naked eye and float through outdoor and indoor air. Mold may begin growing indoors when mold spores land on surfaces that are wet. There are many types of mold, and none of them will grow without water or moisture.
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Is mold dangerous to humans?
Molds produce allergens, which can cause reactions in people who are allergic to mold such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash. For people who also have asthma, molds can also cause asthma attacks. Some molds produce mycotoxins. These are poisonous substances that can cause health effects in humans.
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How quickly does mold grow?
Mold requires several conditions to grow. It needs food, moisture, and the right temperature. Once these are met, spores may germinate after 12 hours and can start to grow within 24 to 48 hours. How quickly molds colonize depends on what kind of mold it is, but it can occur after 1 to 12 days. This is why it is essential to act immediately in the event of water damage.
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How can you prevent mold from spreading?
To take care of a mold problem, you must remove the mold and mold spores. You must also fix the water problem. When removing mold, it is important to prevent spores from spreading to unaffected areas. To do this, the remediator will block vents, doors, and any other openings through which spores could reach clean areas. Negative pressurization is established in the sealed area. The remediator creates low air pressure inside so that spores cannot leave.
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How do I get rid of mold?
When removing mold, some mold spores will still be found floating through the air and in house dust. The mold spores will not grow if moisture is not present. Indoor mold growth can and should be prevented or controlled by controlling moisture indoors. If there is mold growth in your home, you must clean up the mold and fix the water problem. If you clean up the mold, but don't fix the water problem, then, most likely, the mold problem will come back.
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Is mold in my crawl space affecting my home?
Mold growth in the crawl space is less likely to affect the interior of the home that mold growing inside the living area of your home. However, pressurization caused by airflow into and out of the vents, or through the introduction of air via the HVAC system could cause the transfer of mold into the home. The important thing in the crawl space is to correct the issues causing mold to grow.
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Is mold in my attic affecting my home?
Due to the general movement of air up and out of the home, mold in the attic is not likely to affect the interior of the home. Mold growth in the attic is generally caused by condensation on the roof decking unless an apparent leak is present. The conditions that lead to the mold growth should be corrected and the mold treated to prevent future growth.
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Should I have mold testing done in my home?
According to the EPA ("Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings") mold sampling is not normally required. This is very different than what you hear from most mold remediation companies. The fact of the matter is that if you can see it, you likely do not need to test it. There are times when testing is a reasonably good option. For example, if there is an odor present with no visible mold, it may be a good idea to have testing done.
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What should I do, I think that mold is making me sick?
The predominant health effects from mold are allergenic in nature and are limited to the period of time that you are exposed to the fragments and chemicals that mold produces. Most healthy adults have a very high tolerance to mold exposure, even when exposed to large amounts of it. Some reports have been made that mold may cause or exacerbate more serious health problems like asthma or hypersensitivities, however a direct cause and effect to these issues is yet to have been established. Some individuals who have preexisting conditions like asthma or are immune-system compromised like HIV patients will be more likely to develop symptoms, illnesses, or complications when exposed to mold. If you do think that mold is making you sick, the best thing that you can do is to remove yourself from the environment where you know or think mold is present. If your acute symptoms (runny nose, watery eyes, fatigue) subside or improve when not in the affected area, it is likely that mold is the culprit. If you do not have a visible mold problem, and you suspect that mold may be causing you problems you should contact your physician about your concerns.
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