How to Control Mold in Your Home

Mold and mildew can be a big problem in residential and even commercial buildings. There are often things that can be done to control mold and mildew and even eliminate it completely. Mold and mildew can be detrimental to the building itself along with the people who inhabit the building, so it is very important to understand how to prevent the growth of mold and mildew. There are three basic things to know about mold and mildew and the first is to know what mold and mildew are, the second is to where exactly mold and mildew is most likely to grow, and lastly you need to know how to control it and get rid of it.

First things first, what are mold and mildew? Basically mold and mildew are a low form of plant life that live off of organic matter rather than living like other plants through photosynthesis. We have all seen mold, they are usually fuzzy or powdery substances that can grow on almost all surfaces. Mold and mildew are usually considered one and the same but there is difference between the two. The main difference is basically what they are feeding on and their color, mildew is usually white in color where mold can be numerous different colors. Mold is commonly mistaken for dirt which can cause some problems, if you're not sure what the material is there is an easy test you can perform to tell the difference. Bleach is a good way to test for mold and mildew. If you put bleach on a material you are not sure is mold or dirt just put some bleach on it and see what happens. If the material bleaches within a couple of minutes than it is mold or mildew, if it does not bleach you probably have some dirt or other material other than mold.

You need to know where mold and mildew grow so you can keep an eye on spots where you could have a problem. The most common place for mold and mildew to grow is in high moisture areas along with dark areas and areas of stagnant air flow. Believe it or not mold is basically everywhere and as if flies around the air around us it searches for an ideal growing environment. When it finds such a spot it begins to flourish and grow very rapidly. Also you should know what mold and mildew need to grow. First they need nutrients and this would include nearly any organic substance including wood, paper, plastic and even cloth. The reason it can grow on plastic and cloth is usually because a thin layer of dirt or dust is all it takes to grow mold. Next mold and mildew need a moderate temperature to grow usually between the range of 68 and 86 degrees. Outside of this range and the growth can slow or even stop but if the temperature returns to the appropriate range the mold will continue to grow. Lastly mold and mildew need oxygen and moisture to grow. Mold must have oxygen and a humidity level of 70% or higher.

Making sure you are staying on top of a mold and mildew situation is very important or you could create a situation where people are getting sick and the home or building itself can be compromised. Moisture control is the only viable method of managing mold and mildew growth in buildings, since there are ample substances that allow them to flourish. If mold is found you usually need to go deeper than just the surface to get to the problem, usually mold and mildew are hiding from plain view. You need to clean and let dry a mold situation before closing it back in. There are a few ways to keep the humidity level down in a home or building and the first would be to use a dehumidifier in basements and moist areas, and also keep down spouts away from the foundation of your home.

Just keep in mind that mold and mildew can cause major health issues and should be taken seriously. If you notice mold and mildew constantly in your home make sure to call in a specialist to make sure it is a safe place to be around. You may think that mold can't do anything harmful to humans but it really can, it causes major breathing and lung problems, especially for young children and elderly people. Keep your family safe.