Mold is one of the most frequent problems that homeowners face. It grows fast, growing as quickly as 24 to 48 hours inside the home when water or moisture is present. But despite everything that is known about mold, there are still many misconceptions. As soon as you bust the myths, then you’ll get a better understanding of mold and its impact on your health and house. We have put together a listing of nine frequent mold myths and the truth behind them. Use this information to your advantage when you encounter a mold issue.
9 Mold Myths Debunked
Mold Myth 1: Mold has no benefits
Truth: whilst mold can affect your health because of long-term exposure, some molds may also be beneficial. The mold found in natural environments assists decompose organic material, allowing other organisms to grow. Particular molds, such as Aspergillus flavus, are employed in the production of cheese. Some molds are used in medicine, too. As an example, the Penicillium mold was used to make Penicillin, the first antibiotic discovered. However, immunocompromised people exposed to elevated levels of those molds may become sick.
Mold Myth 2: Repeated mold vulnerability won’t make me ill
Truth: Though not everyone is affected when exposed to mold, all molds have the potential to cause distress or illness, particularly among individuals who already have respiratory issues. Typical symptoms related to mold exposure include coughing, watery eyes, congestion, headaches, and even memory loss and nausea. Most recently, researchers at Rutgers University have discovered that mold exposure may cause Parkinson’s disease-like symptoms.
Mold Myth 3: There should be no mold in my home
Truth: The truth is that mold spores are present everywhere, indoors and outdoors. The air you are breathing comprises mold spores, and completely removing it is nearly impossible. The problem lies in the concentration of mold in your home. Greater quantities of mold can pose health risks and damage your house if you do not look after the mold infestation. Check out the water damage restoration in San Fernando to learn more.
Mold Myth 4: Mold is always observable
Truth: a lot of men and women believe just because they can’t see it, it’s not there. Seeing isn’t believing in regards to mold, as not all types of mold are observable. Therefore, it’s best to rely on smell to find mold. If you smell a musty odor, there is probably mold present.
Mold Myth 5: You can identify the species of mold that is growing in your home
Truth: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that there are anywhere from thousands to hundreds of thousands of mold and fungi species — far too many to identify. However, a few of the most common found in homes are Cladosporium, Penicillium, Alternaria, and Aspergillus.
Mold Myth 6: Applying bleach is a good way to kill mold
Truth: a lot of people use bleach as a mold removal alternative in their property. But they’re unaware that bleach kills just live mold, but not mold spores. The worst part is that removing mold with bleach and water may enable mold to regrow faster. Instead, use a mix of household detergent and water to get small-scale mold remediation.
Mold Fantasy 7: You should not worry about a little spot of mold
Truth: Actually, a mold problem can become bigger if the moisture problem is not addressed. What is more, mold can propagate to some organic surface, as well as concerning the heating and cooling system in your property. This can lead to widespread damage and expensive repairs.
Mold Myth 8: You are able to clean up mold infestations yourself
Truth: Even infected regions smaller than 10 square feet need professional mold removal services. In fact, your efforts in eliminating mold may accelerate mold growth. Well-trained mold remediation professionals have specialized equipment and understand the crucial techniques to get rid of mold considerably better.
Mold Myth 9: After the mold is gone, it won’t return
Truth: Removing mold is one thing, but resolving the water problem is something different. The only way to completely stop mold from returning is to solve the water or moisture problem that caused the mold to grow in the first place.
For mold removal solutions, contact PuroClean today!
As you can see, mold is a severe, often misunderstood problem that can grow even more problematic if it is not cared for properly. That is why PuroClean franchisees follow the IICRC standards for expert mold remediation and eliminate mold using the latest, most effective techniques. For additional information, contact PuroClean in Los Angeles today. Check them out here for more information.