Common Mold Misconceptions

1/15/2021 (Permalink)

When it comes to mold, there’s a lot of information out there, however, that doesn’t mean that it’s all correct. From methods of cleaning mold to which types of mold may cause health effects, misconceptions are everywhere. If you find yourself browsing through the internet looking for information after encountering mold growth in your home, keep an eye out for these common mold misconceptions:

• Mold is Only Found in Water-Damaged Homes

While it’s true that mold normally forms in areas that have issues with water damage or flooding, that’s not the whole picture. Molds and mildews are always present—both indoors and outdoors. When mold spores land on a surface that contains any amount of moisture, it can begin to grow. So regardless of whether or not you’ve had recent water damage to your home, all homes have the potential to wind up with a mold problem, especially in high humidity areas like crawlspaces and basements.

• It’s Not Dangerous Mold if it isn’t Black

While black mold does have a dark appearance, it’s not the only type of mold that can cause health effects for people. You can’t solely rely on the color of mold to determine its level of toxicity, and some dangerous molds come in colors such as brown, green, yellow, or white. When it comes down to it, a significant group of any mold type can release enough spores into the air to affect those with allergies, asthma, and other conditions, so it’s important to address any type of mold growth promptly.

• Black Mold is “toxic” to Humans and Animals

Calling black mold “toxic” implies that it is somehow poisonous to those who come into contact with it. In reality, there is no “toxic mold”—although molds can be toxigenic. If a toxigenic mold is growing and releasing spore into the air, it can create unhealthy air quality conditions that affect members of the household. Black mold is one of the most well-known toxigenic molds associated with health effects.

• Mold Can be Treated with DIY Methods

There’s a lot of DIY advice out there from unreliable sources that tell homeowners that treating mold with bleach is enough to fix the problem. Although bleach can indeed be an effective surface cleaner, mold often colonizes porous materials that cannot be treated with this DIY method like behind walls, under floors, inside insulation, etc. For remediation that eliminates the issue for good, a professional team of mold technicians should be contacted to evaluate the scope of the problem. 

While there’s no question that mold can be a headache for homeowners, it’s not a problem that has to result in an empty wallet and a damaged home! At SERVPRO of East Arlington, we provide fast, highly-effective mold remediation. Best of all, our services are guaranteed! 

Don’t rely on random, incorrect information from the internet to treat your mold issues—just give our experts a call for a free estimate!

For more information about understanding mold and the mold remediation process check out our website at http://www.SERVPROeastarlington.com