For many people, mold is more of a boogeyman than a fungus that lives in certain areas. Just the term “mold” can send people imagining wildly different things, from spoiled food in the refrigerator to a whole entire home being uninhabitable. The truth is usually somewhere in between, but how can you know for sure?
Well, knowledge is power. The more you know about mold and it’s effects, the more you can be prepared to handle any mold problems in your home, from the small stuff, to the large projects that require mold remediation in Gainesville, FL. Our team specializes in this kind of service, and we can be a resource in these times to figure out what kind of mold removal or remediation services you might need.
But first, we need to start from the beginning. What is mold, and how does it work its way into your home?
What Is Mold?
Mold is a type of substance that grows in a colony, similar to fungus. It’s living, so it requires nourishment, water, and a specific type of habitable environment to grow. That’s why you might encounter mold in expired food, since it starts to grow while feeding on the food as it decays.
How Does Mold Grow?
Mold requires three specific things to grow in an environment like your home.
- It requires oxygen, which is why mold can grow in air ducts and places in your home with plenty of airflow.
- It requires water. Mold easily grows in areas with high humidity or dampness since it soaks up the water.
- It requires darkness. Mold doesn’t grow in direct sunlight, since the UV rays of the sun are harmful to it. Instead, it grows in dark environments.
Why Is Mold Dangerous?
Mold is dangerous because it can infect human beings. As long as you’re being vigilant, you’re probably unlikely to ingest mold.
However, when mold reproduces, it sends spores into the air to start a new colony. Those mold spores can be breathed in by unsuspecting people, and infect you through your respiratory system. Mold infections can be similar to viral or bacterial infections, and each one comes with a different set of symptoms.
How Does Mold Ruin Furniture and a Home’s Structure?
When you encounter mold, it’s safe to assume that there’s water in your home. Water ruins the structural integrity of wood, metal, and concrete, which are some of the most important components of your home. Mold also feeds on rotting wood, which means it will continue to weaken any wooden furniture or structural support beams its growing on.
How Do I Tell If I’m Suffering From a Mold Infestation?
If you detect any foul odors in your home, it could be your nose picking up on mold spores in the air. Or, if you’re noticing an excessive level of humidity in your house, then you’re much more at risk for having a mold infestation somewhere that you can’t see.
What Do I Do?
First things first, call our team to have your home inspected so we can locate any mold infestations that are growing. Then, we can provide expert mold remediation and recommend systems like a UV air purifier or a dehumidifier to help stop mold growth in the future.
North Central Florida Air Conditioning has your back. Contact us today for mold remediation, or a whole host of other services.
