Why Mold Spreads Faster | ServiceMaster of the Upstate

Sometimes, unwanted water in homes can be the result of excessive humidity. In every home, we have spaces with poor ventilation, such as the basement, attic, cabinets, and bathrooms.

There are five factors that are needed to support fungal growth, but water is the factor most easily controlled indoors and is the one factor every species of mold requires. Some sources of moisture which can lead to mold growth are leaks or broken pipes, or a water-saturated floor that is not dried quickly due to poor ventilation of the area. These circumstances, if not fixed immediately, create the perfect environment for mold to grow.

ServiceMaster of the Upstate discusses basic facts about mold and ways to prevent it from spreading.

Facts About Mold

Mold shares its classification with yeasts and mushrooms. While bacteria are unicellular, or structurally a one-celled organism, mold is multicellular.
However, mold and bacteria do have one thing in common: they thrive in a humid environment.
Even though mold can be beneficial in laboratory settings, just like bacteria and viruses, mold is considered a severe threat to human health.
Mold spores can perform asexual reproduction by mitosis or meiosis. Mitosis and meiosis are the two types of cell division that cause mold to grow and reproduce. Fungi are heterotrophic and saprophytic because they cannot produce their food and must rely on an external food source that is high in cellulose.

During reproduction, cells called mold spores are distributed or scattered in the environment.
Mold spores are too small to be detected by the naked eye. You will not notice their presence or be able to avoid exposing yourself to them at the early stage of their existence.
Once spores enter the environment, they can end up everywhere inside your home.

How to Stop Mold Growth and Reproduction

The use of dehumidifiers is an effective way to keep relative humidity levels in an acceptable range.
Most indoor environments have a relative humidity of 40 to 50 percent when the temperature is between 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit.
To prevent mold growth and reproduction, you need to resolve the source of any moisture intrusion.

What to Do When You Have Mold in Your Home

Water penetration can occur anywhere in your home. In addition to the bathroom and basement, to avoid extensive damages and mold growth, it’s important always to be looking at the following areas for the signs of water damage:

Ceilings and Walls: In the ceiling, water damage can either be the result of water leaking in through the roof or, if there’s a bathroom on the floor above, from a leaking pipe in the bathroom. For walls, you’ll want to check for the same sources of water damage, as well as areas around doors and windows.
Floors: Many things can be the cause of water-damaged floors, including overflowing sinks and tubs or leaky appliances.
Exterior Walls: Improper drainage or gutters that don’t whisk water away from your house are common causes of exterior wall damage.
Attic: Stains, mold, and swollen insulation are the common signs your attic has been damaged.
Appliances: Check under or behind your refrigerator, washer and dryer, water heater, toilets, and sinks for signs of pooling or leaks.

If you can smell mold in your home or you have had wet building materials for more than 72 hours, or if you cannot find any mold but are suspicious, then it may be time to call the professionals at ServiceMaster of the Upstate, a mold remediation company in Roebuck, South Carolina.

We provide you with relevant information about what mold is, how it grows, and what you can do to prevent its spread. Our mold remediation specialists accurately assess the problem and take appropriate action.

Schedule a Mold Removal Appointment in Greenville, South Carolina

ServiceMaster of the Upstate is on-call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to immediately address your mold damage emergency. We service commercial properties in Boiling Springs, Gaffney, Greenville, Greer, Laurens, Mauldin, Newberry, Saluda, and Spartanburg, South Carolina, and the surrounding areas.