How Do I Know If I Have A Mold Problem?

2/12/2021 (Permalink)

Mold can be a serious issue for your home.

“The answer is YES”, says Joe Dalton/General Manager of SERVPRO of North Seminole and West Volusia Counties. “We live in Central Florida; the ambient humidity alone creates a substantial amount of mold spores throughout our environment. We track it in on our shoes, our pets bring it in and even the wind can push it into our homes and businesses. The real question is, Do I Have A MOLD Problem?”

“More than likely, no, you don’t. A mold problem would mean that mold and/or mold spores are present in your home/business equal to or above the level(s) that exist outside your home. And unless you’ve had some sort of leak or water damage; you don’t regulate the temperature in your home properly or you’ve been gone for a significant amount of time with the A/C unit turned off; the odds of an existing mold issue are low.” However, if you’ve had any of those circumstances and/or suspect you have a problem because you visibly see mold; have a mold/musty odor or experience abnormal allergy issues, it’s worth having a Licensed Mold Remediation company assess things. “The last thing you want to do is try and treat a mold problem yourself” says Joe. “People tell me all the time that they will just clean it with bleach. First, bleach or chlorine in and of itself can be harmful if not handled properly. More importantly, bleach is 60-75% water so while it cleans the surface it actually increases the main component for mold growth (moisture). You are putting a band-aid on a broken leg at that point.”

Mold needs several things to grow.

• A food source (wood, drywall, cotton, porous material)
• Moisture (water leaks, humidity)
• Warmth (mold can’t grow in freezing temperatures)

If conditions are right, mold can begin to grow within 48 hours. It also can be various colors, shapes and forms, not just black. Some mold growth can be white and look like small threads. Other mold can be black, gray/brown, gray/green, etc. If it’s present behind wallpaper or under vinyl flooring it can even appear orange, pink or purple. 

At the end of the day, if you have an indication of water damage/excessive moisture (water stains, discoloration, peeling/bubbling/cracking of paint or wallpaper), have a licensed remediation company perform a water damage/moisture check. And if you suspect a mold problem based upon conditions mentioned in this article or you simply want piece of mind, give us a call 407-323-2422. SERVPRO of North Seminole County is a licensed mold remediation company.