Mold Frequently Asked Questions

The only way to be able to name mold is to have a sample tested at a qualified laboratory.

Yes. ANY moisture from any source inside of your home can cause mold. It is important to periodically check your home for leaks. If you notice moisture or water where it does not belong check it out right away.

Mold and mildew are both types of fungi which are similar in many ways but have major differences in appearance, texture, and how they affect your health. Mold is usually fuzzy and can vary in color. Mildew grows in a flat pattern, may appear powdery, and over time changes color. While both are known to cause respiratory and allergy-like symptoms, mold can cause structural damage and more serious health problems, including neurological issues.

Removing mold efficiently is harder than most people think. First, you have to wear protective clothing to reduce exposure to mold. Then, you need to isolate the mold, so that it doesn’t spread to other rooms. After that, fix the water problem and dry the affected surface. To clean up mold, scrub a mixture of household detergent and water on the surface (don’t use bleach).

A typical job for PuroClean can take anywhere from 1 to 5 days depending on the amount of mold that needs to be removed.

Individual policies will vary, so you should ask your insurance agent and/or adjuster if you’re eligible for coverage.

Mold can begin to grow within 24 to 48 hours after water damage and it can spread quickly, especially when it is disrupted. Rubbing it or spraying air against it can cause the mold spores to break off into the air, potentially causing illnesses.

Mold is a type of fungus that lives almost everywhere there is moisture, oxygen, and organic matter. Mold plays an important role in nature as it helps decompose organic material. However, mold found indoors can cause health problems, as well as structural problems to buildings.

Mold commonly grows in areas that are prone to moisture, such as the basement and bathroom. However, mold can also grow in hidden areas of the home, such as behind walls, under the floor, in the air conditioning system, in the crawl space or in the attic.

Although all homes have mold spores in them, larger patches of mold growth can cause health issues and structural damage. Signs of mold in homes include a musty odor and the visible black or white specks in areas of your home that have a water problem.

Mold-sensitive individuals may exhibit allergy symptoms, such as sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, coughing, itchy eyes, wheezing, and skin irritation. Mold exposure can also trigger asthmatic symptoms that include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. Mold can also cause irritant reactions, which are similar to those of an allergic reaction.

If you suspect that there is mold growing in your home, you don’t have to know which type of mold it is, but you should have it removed as soon as possible. It is not necessary to test for mold if you already notice the signs of mold growth in your home. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), sampling and culturing are not reliable in determining your health risk.

Mold can take on a variety of colors – anywhere from dark black to a lighter green or anything in between. Sometimes it’s very difficult to determine if what is in your home is actually mold, so in some cases, we recommend using an industrial hygienist to test for mold before hiring a mold remediation company. An industrial hygienist can find the hidden mold behind walls or ceilings.

Yes, you can. But before occupying it, you should have the mold removed. If the mold is visible, then a mold remediation company like PuroClean can remove it. If it isn’t visible, but you suspect it might be present, you should have it checked out by an industrial hygienist to determine where the mold is and how much is present.

Mold is very tricky—and when attempting to remove it yourself, you can disrupt it and make it worse. A professional mold remediation company is able to remove it correctly, adhering to the IICRC mold removal guidelines for proper mold remediation. They will also be able to apply measures to prevent regrowth.

You have to first remove the water as quickly as possible. Use fans and open windows to speed up the process. Use a dehumidifier to dry out the room. Steam clean carpet and flooring, as well as sanitize walls and baseboards.

Yes. Mold can affect major organs, causing acute liver damage, tumors, cirrhosis of the liver, immunosuppression, respiratory infections, depression, sleep disorders, headaches, confusion, and irritability.

There are 3 types of molds commonly found in homes, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, and Stachybotrys chartarum.

Yes! Black mold not only causes structural damage to buildings, exposure to black mold can cause numerous respiratory, neurological, and other health issues.

Yes, long-term exposure to toxic black mold can cause symptoms like memory loss, insomnia, anxiety, depression, confusion, trouble concentrating, and confusion.

Mold can grow within 24 to 48 hours after water damage.

This depends on your specific policy. Your insurance agent and/or adjuster can answer that question for you.

Yes, you can sue your landlord if you suffered from any illness due to mold in your home.

Not usually. Mold will not grow without a lot of moisture, so keeping your concrete floors clean and dry should prevent mold growth.

Mold-sensitive individuals may exhibit allergy symptoms, such as sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, coughing, itchy eyes, wheezing, and skin irritation. Moreover, mold can trigger asthmatic symptoms that include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. Mold exposure can also cause irritant reactions, in which case the symptoms are similar to those of an allergic reaction: coughing, runny nose, eye irritation, and more.

Keep the humidity levels below 55%, ventilate the bathroom after a shower or bath by turning on bathroom exhaust fan, dry wet surfaces, and clean bathroom regularly. You should also use a mold-resistant shower curtain and avoid keeping objects such as shampoo bottles, toys, andmugs in the shower.

The key to preventing mold growth is moisture control. There are many ways to achieve this including repairing leaks in your home—from walls, roof, gutters, plumbing pipes, etc., keeping indoor humidity at about 30-50%, ventilating appliances that generate moisture, getting your HVAC system inspected annually, cleaning gutters, and using materials such as mold-resistant paint.

Preventing mold requires fixing moisture problems in your home. Repair leaks in the walls, roof, gutters, and plumbing pipes, keep indoor humidity at 30-50% by using a dehumidifier, ventilate appliances that generate moisture, and keep the gutter system clean.

Although it is always better to hire a certified mold removal company, you might be able to remove small patches of mold (less than 10 square feet) yourself . When you’re not sure how to remove mold or if the infested area is larger than 10 square feet, contact a qualified professional.

If there is mold growing in your home, you can be exposed to it. When mold is disturbed, it releases spores into the indoor air that you breathe. Other forms of exposure include touching the mold itself or moldy items, eating moldy food, and hand-to-mouth contact.

Mold releases microscopic mold spores into the air. Since mold spores are airborne, all homes have mold spores in them, some more than others. Mold grows in homes because almost all homes meet the requirements of mold growth: moisture, nutrients (such as cellulose), and time.