Do you worry about mold growing inside of your home? Unfortunately, it’s extremely common, unsightly, and even dangerous to your health. It can hide in your framework, tiling, carpets, and drywall, and it can even grow on your skin. It’s especially harmful to infants, pets, and those with pre-existing conditions, which is why we think you should know these 10 facts.
#1 Mold Can Hide Anywhere
Just because you don’t see mold growth, it doesn’t mean you don’t have it. A strange musty odor, allergy-like symptoms, and other signs can all alert you to mold growth that’s hiding in your drywall, leaking roof, or in your crawl spaces that aren’t properly ventilated. Keeping your home clean, airy, and with a relative humidity between 30% and 50% puts you in the best position to prevent mold growth.
#2 Mold Can Cause Major Illnesses
Mold in itself can be very dangerous. Not only are most people allergic to it, meaning that mold exposure on its own can cause all sorts of symptoms, but it’s also linked to many major illnesses. The list includes miscarriages, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), multiple sclerosis, Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS), and even cancer. Mold exposure is particularly dangerous for those with pre-existing conditions.
#3 Mold Comes In Over 10,000 Forms
Over 10,000 species of mold have been identified, though the most common boil down to a list of about 12. Plus, while you may associated mold with black spots or other common signs, they can actually come in many different colors and textures — ranging from white and stringy to dark green and velvety.
#4 Mold Can Be Categorized In 3 Ways
Out of the over 10,000 species of mold, you can fit most into 3 types: allergenic, pathogenic, or toxigenic. The first is the most common and impacts people who have allergies. The second can cause health problems much like bacterial pneumonia. The third and final is the absolute worst kind, and impacts everyone.
#5 Mold Feeds On Dead Organisms
Dead organic materials feed mold, which can mean anything from the leather of your sofa, the fabric of your bedspread, or even the wood, paper, paint, or cement that makes up your home. Tiles, carpet, and drywall can also provide food for mold, which is why humidity control is the best preventative method since food for mold is everywhere.
#6 Mold Can Grow In 48 Hours
Did you know it takes just two days for mold to begin growing? Since plenty of food is everywhere, when there’s lots of moisture present, mold spores will begin a feast and take root.
#7 Mold Isn’t Limited to Basements
While most commonly associated with areas linked to water leaks and damage, like the bathroom or basement, mold can grow anywhere that’s exposed to water — including your lawn!
#8 Mold Isn’t Easily Cleaned
A lot of home remedies will suggest using bleach to kill mold, but in truth, that will only kill the mold on the very top surface. The mold “roots” will prevail within the surface, allowing the problem to continue growing worse. Additionally, dead mold spores are just as dangerous to humans and animals. Proper mold remediation means fixing mold from the root and removing all mold spores from the air.
#9 Mold Doesn’t Like Happy Meals
Interestingly, while mold will eat through fabric, wood, and even certain metals, research has found it won’t touch a McDonald’s Happy Meal!
#10 Mold Loves Christmas Trees
A final fun fact to wrap things up, if you find yourself sneezing while decorating your fresh Christmas tree, that could be because they hold a ton of mold spores. So, those who suffer from allergies may feel best opting for a plastic tree this year.