FAQs About Mold

 

Mold comes in many shapes and sizes – from a green fuzz on your bread to black slime in your shower. It is important to know some basic information about mold so that you can identify it and remove it in order to protect your home and family.

The experts at GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration answer some of your most frequently asked questions about mold...

What is mold?

Mold is a type of fungus that can grow virtually anywhere moisture is present. No one knows exactly how many different types of mold exist, but some estimate the number to be over 300,000.

What are the health effects of mold?

Mold spreads and grows by reproducing microscopic spores, which can unknowingly be inhaled by humans. When we come in contact with these spores, we can experience allergy-like side effects such as coughing, sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, headaches, and fever. Mold has also been linked to long-term respiratory problems.

What causes mold to grow?

Mold requires three things to grow: oxygen, moisture, and nutrition. Since oxygen is found (nearly) everywhere on Earth and mold can “eat” a variety of organic particles (such as dust, cellulose, and dirt), places with excess moisture are the most prone to mold growth.

Where are places that mold grows in the home?

Since moisture is necessary for mold to grow, the most common problem areas around the home are those that tend to have high moisture levels. They include:

• Bathroom – on the walls or in the shower especially
• Basements & crawl spaces
• Attics and roofs
• Underneath carpeting
• Window, refrigerator, washing machine, and dishwasher seals
• HVAC air ducts
  
  

How can I remove mold from my home?

If you spot mold growing in your home, do not try to remove it yourself. Special tools are needed to thoroughly eliminate the mold, and attempting a DIY removal just puts you at risk for spreading the mold and becoming sick.

If you live on Long Island and have a mold problem in your home or business, call the professional mold removers at GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration. Visit our website for more information, or call us for a free quote at (631) 940-8100.