Mold is a type of fungus that thrives in the form of multi-cellular filaments that are called hyphae. Common examples of molds include: Cladosporium, Penicillium, Alternaria, and Aspergillus. A mold inspection can help you to identify the types of mold in your home or business.
They are responsible for a number of health problems such as: nasal and sinus congestion, runny noses, eye irritations, watery eyes, respiratory problems, coughs, throat irritations, skin irritations, headaches, sneezing and sneezing fits. Only a certified mold removal company can eliminate large mold problems that may be affecting your health.
For the molds to thrive, they require: mold spores; food sources such as wood, cotton or drywall; darkness; warmth; oxygen; moisture such as water leaks, or humidity; and enough time (a minimum of 24-48 hours if the environment is conducive).
A confluence of factors is responsible for the growth and proliferation of mold damage in the homes and businesses. There are various ways to remove mold from your home or business. However the main causes of mold are listed below. These are:
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High Humidity Levels
Humidity is the measure of the amount of water vapor that is contained in the atmosphere. Excessive humidity does enhance the growth and proliferation of molds because they provide the favorable conditions required. This problem is more profound in areas that are adjacent to water bodies such as beaches.
Leakages in Plumbing
Plumbing refers to the mechanism by which water is circulated within a building structure. It includes such things as water pipes, drainage pipes, and toilets. Any leakages in these structures do provide the required amount of water for the growth and the subsequent proliferation of molds.
Damp Surfaces
Surfaces of homes and businesses that are prone to dampening such as kitchen floors and walls; basement areas; bathroom walls and floors; and toilets are also responsible for the proliferation of Baltimore mold damage because of the ready availability of the much needed moisture.
Condensation
It is the conversation of water vapor into liquid form. It is enhanced and facilitated by extremely cold surfaces such as those in kitchen areas, bathrooms, and toilets. When the water vapor condenses on surfaces, they create an enabling environment for the subsequent growth of molds.
Poor Ventilation
Ventilation refers to the mechanism by which air is kept into circulation within the building structures. This is usually carried out by a number of building parts such as ventilation holes, windows, chimneys, and so on. When buildings are poorly ventilated, a number of things that can enhance the growth of molds do happen. These include: the fact that wet surfaces dry out more slowly and hence provide the required conducive environment; and the fact that pockets of stagnant moist air are created which further enhance the growth of molds.
Flooding
During moments of floods, a lot of moisture is absorbed by buildings which may eventually take too long to dry out. This creates a very conducive environment for the molds to grow and thrive. Also, some strains of molds such as: Stachybotrys chartarum require extremely wet surfaces for longer duration of time to grow – conditions that can only be made possible during moments of flood. Another type of flooding is from fire damage. Often the efforts to put out a fire can completely saturate the inside of your home or business with much more water than a flood even.
Conclusion
There are various causes of mold damages as can be seen from the above discussions and explanations. Their diversity notwithstanding, they are chiefly caused by water or water-related sources. For that reason, proper drainage and drying is vital for the eventual elimination of molds.
