Mold Frequently Asked Questions

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

[VIDEO] Both mold and mildew are part of the “fungal” group of organisms. They both produce spores, and mycotoxins and allergyns. They are, obviously, very similar. IN GENERAL: mildew grows on living organisms: the mildew on flowers, powdery mildew on grass, etc. Most mold growth is on things that used to be alive. Mold grows on wood and paper and cardboard and wool and silk and leather, etc. Mildew grown on trees, shrubs and many living plants. What you see growing inside your home is probably some type of mold. All molds must have something organic on which to grow. When you see mold growing on something that is not organic (concrete, plastic, glass) then it is actually growing on the DIRT that is on those materials. Dirt contains enough organic material to support mold growth.

Every Insurance policy is different. You should contact your broker/agent or your insurance company to determine the amount of coverage that you have.

Mold has been been associated with many ailments. You should consult with your doctor or your medical team if you are ill or have adverse sypmtoms.

It is important to remove the water as quickly as possible and to dry all affected materials. This includes under cabinets, under walls in adjacent rooms, the subfloor, lower rooms where the water might have gone. Dehumidifiers and air movers can be used to dry these materials.

[VIDEO] The time is directly related to the amount of mold and where it is growing. Jobs can take anywhere from 4 hours to 5 days, or longer. Every situation is different!

You should contact an attorney if you have such concerns and your landlord does not respond as you believe he/she should.

The biggest step is to be sure the bathroom has adequate ventilation. It is important to have a properly installed exhaust fan.

[VIDEO] 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).

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.

[VIDEO] 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.

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

Excess water can create a variety of effects. Personal property can be damaged and the structure of you home can be compromised. Most importantly, mold growth can occur if the structure is professionally dried out.

The first thing you should do is locate and fix the source of mold growth, such as, leaking pipes, poor ventilation, high humidity, etc. Then, have PuroClean Water, Fire, and Mold Experts remediate the mold. If you do not fix the source prior to mold remediation, it is very possible the mold will continue to grow back.

It is possible, however we do not recommend it. There are some Commercial stores that provide self-test kits but these kits are not always helpful in determining the elevated levels in the air that you are breathing or how to treat it.  It is recommended to use an experienced mold remediation company like PuroClean Water, Fire, and Mold Experts to perform the mold cleanup.

The presence of mold can be linked to various respiratory health problems, headaches, nasal stuffiness, and skin irritations. The more extensive the dampness and mold, the greater the risk.  Homeowners with compromised health conditions, infants/toddlers, and the elderly are more at risk to issues related to elevated mold.

Mold growth occurs due to a water source or high humidity.  This is most common in basements, bathrooms, and attics where humidity is typically an issue.  Also, if you have had a a major water intrusion such as a pipe break, toilet overflow, sump pump failure, drain backup, etc., moisture can linger in the carpeting, carpet pad, drywall and insulation to feed mold growth and high humidity. PuroClean Water, Fire, and Mold Experts can check for high humidity and excess moisture in these areas.

Do not ignore your senses, if you are smelling a musty/ mildew smell, it is possible that you have some kind of mold growth in your home. Call PuroClean Water, Fire, and Mold Experts to help assess with special tools and equipment to identify and quantify the level of mold contamination.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Yes. Mold grows and thrives in wet or moist areas and can cause significant structural damage. If mold caused by a leaking ceiling is not remedied quickly, you may have to remove and replace insulation, drywall, ceiling tiles, and other materials because they are difficult or impossible to clean.

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

Black mold has a musty, pungent smell akin to rotting leaves, so look out for an unpleasant odor in your home as well as visible dark rings and spots. If you begin experiencing itchy skin, itchy, watery eyes, coughing, headaches, etc., black mold could be the culprit.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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 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.

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.

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.