Got Mold?

The planet is covered in mold. It's estimated that fully 25% of the earth's biomass is mold. The air we breathe is a virtual jungle of mold spores, and it's always been that way.

So why is everyone concerned about a little mold all of a sudden?

Because high concentrations of mold is a Health Risk. Mold spores are like seeds, floating around and hoping to land in a good spot with plenty of organic food and water. When they do, they begin to grow, reproduce and create even more spores, and also give off odors (VOCs) and mycotoxins. This is all very natural and when it's happening outside, healthy immune systems fight off our daily mold intake easily. But indoors, it's another matter. In a healthy home, the concentration of mold spores is the same indoors as it is outdoors, nothing to worry about. Mold doesn't find a good place to grow inside, so it soon dies. But when conditions inside are just right, the combination of humid air and wet surfaces, mold begins to grow, and reproduce. When mold starts reproducing indoors, spore concentrations can quickly skyrocket far beyond the natural levels we're used to outdoors.

What's the Risk?

It will destroy your home. Mold is the planet's great decomposer. Eventually, anything organic that mold grows on will break be consumed. So, it's easy to see how mold can damage your home: it ruins drywall, plywood, framing, carpet, furniture or anything else it grows on. It's estimated that 1 in 3 homes in America has a mold issue, and that 1 in 10 is serious enough to cause environmental allergies and respiratory ailments. It's no wonder why most insurance companies have, over the last few years, changed their policies to exclude mold damage from the list of covered issues. The problem is large, and they don't want to pay for it. But, of course, the more serious risk is to your family's health. It destroys your health! Growing mold gives off three dangerous components: Volatile Organic Compounds, Allergens, and Mycotixins When mold grows indoors, all three components can reach unsafely high concentrations.

Here's some of the effects of each component, with scientific references:

Volotile Organic Compounds
“Exposure to high levels of volatile organic compounds from any source… can irritate the mucous membranes and affect the central nervous system, producing such symptoms as headaches, attention
deficit, inability to concentrate, and dizziness.”

Allergens
Due to the presence of allergens on spores, all molds studied to date have the potential to cause an allergic reaction in susceptible humans. Allergic reactions are believed to be the most common exposure reaction to molds. These reactions can range from mild, transitory responses, like runny eyes, runny nose, throat irritation, coughing, and sneezing; to severe, chronic illnesses such as sinusitis and asthma.

Other reported effects such as fever, flu-like symptoms, fatigue, respiratory dysfunction (including coughing up blood), excessive and regular nose bleeds, dizziness, headaches, diarrhea, vomiting, liver damage, and impaired or altered immune function have been identified in persons who have been exposed to mold via inhalation

Mycotoxins
Some molds are capable of producing mycotoxins , natural organic compounds that are capable of initiating a toxic response in vertebrates.

Unfortunately, the most common type of interior mold, Stachybotrys , is a producer of dangerous mycotoxin that lung and other respiratory problems as well as memory loss.

The Solution

The good news is that mold depends on a wet environment to survive. If you remove the water, the mold dies. So, if you have water just seaping or rushing in, you have to get that fixed, or there will be mold. It's only a matter of time. And if you have mold, you have to clean it up and then figure out where the water's coming from and fix it. If you all you do is clean, the problem will just come right back. Then where is the water coming from? Take a look at our pages on fixing leaks. To learn more, just give us a call at 1-888-808-9523 or fill out the form on our contact page to schedule your FREE Basement Assessment.