Mold Information for Indiana, Kentucky, & Illinois Homeowners
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What is Mold?
Molds are fungi. Molds grow throughout the natural and built environment. Tiny particles of mold are present in indoor and outdoor air. In nature, molds help break down dead materials and can be found growing on soil, foods, plant matter, and other items. Molds produce microscopic cells called "spores" which are very tiny (as small as 1.5 microns, or 0.00003 inches in size) and spread easily through the air. Live spores act like seeds, forming new mold growths (colonies) when they find the right conditions. Call or contact us by e-mail today for a FREE, no-obligation mold remediation estimate and inspection!
There are more than 1.5 million species in existence, with some species of mold growing only in homes. Mold grows year round, and according to Human Ecology Journal, fungus consists of an estimated 25% of the Earth's biomass.
Normally, a mold is about 10 microns (0.0002 inches) in size. They are able to grow anywhere with sufficient warmth, food, and at least 50% humidity in the air. They can grow on any organic material, including wood, paper, paint, dust, fabric, wallpaper, and laytex. In fact, the Journal of Property Management has reported that a single square inch of drywall can contain between 1 and 10 million spores.
What does mold need to grow?
Mold only needs a few simple things to grow and multiply:
- Moisture (50% Relative Humidity or higher)
- Nutrients (Any organic material)
- Warmth (Above 40 degrees Fahrenheit)
Because you can't keep your home below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, and there will always be organic material in your home, controlling excess moisture is the key to preventing and stopping indoor mold growth.
Should I be concerned about mold in my home?
Mold should not be permitted to grow and multiply indoors. When this happens, health problems can occur and building materials, goods and furnishings may be damaged. Time magazine reports that there can be hundreds of thousands of mold spores in a single cubic meter of air indoors, and a single person inhales 10 or 12 cubic meters each day. Breathing in mold spores can lead to a variety of symptoms, including nasal and sinus conjestion, coughing, difficulty breathing, a sore throat, skin and eye irritation, and even upper respiratory infections.