So, you think you might have a mold problem. Even if it’s common knowledge that “black mold” is visible (and dangerous), we often hear from clients about regular mold — which is more complicated than you’d expect. What do these terms mean? What is black mold?
Black mold is not as common as you might think — but it isn’t exactly rare, either
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention gives a good run-down on black mold, a.k.a. stachybotrys. It “can grow on material with a high cellulose and low nitrogen content, such as fiberboard, gypsum board, paper, dust, and lint. Growth occurs when there is moisture from water damage, excessive humidity, water leaks, condensation, water infiltration, or flooding. Constant moisture is required for its growth. It is not necessary, however, to determine what type of mold you may have. All molds should be treated the same with respect to potential health risks and removal.”
We really do need to respect all molds!
Let’s be honest: mold spores are present in most (moist!) environments. They exist in the dust at work and at home, and in every grocery or department store you visit. It’s a matter of species and control. We’ve talked about dehumidifiers in the past. Unless you haven’t picked one up yet — which nearly everyone should — there are further long-term measures we can take to prevent those spores from becoming a bigger problem. Proper ventilation and cleaning habits, as well as routine professional inspection, are critical. No matter the type of mold, it can spread and become a health or safety hazard.
Regular mold is, frankly, kind of a myth
There are thousands of varieties of what we call “mold.” Each one is essentially a type of multicellular fungal growth. While there are a dozen or so typical mold types (“genera”) none is necessarily regular mold — it all depends. Environmental conditions chiefly determine the growth. Whether that’s the temperature, the moisture, or the actual host material for the mold. They’re all unique. That’s why mold inspection and mold assessment are so important. With an air quality test we can learn what microbes are present and what poses a hazard (versus what’s habitable/stoppable). We can plan a remediation or removal strategy as needed.
Are you looking for Chicago remediation or Chicago mold removal right now? We’re here to help. We specialize in efficient service so you can rest easier. Follow us on Facebook and keep us in mind. We’ll be here for you when you need it.
