The Life-cycle of Mold and How to Treat It

2/10/2021 (Permalink)

Mold spores thrive on moisture.

When you have a home in Colorado Springs, CO, you may be considering contacting a local mold remediation service to help prevent spreading mold on your property. However, preventing mold in the first place can require you to understand how this organism works. Here are three things to remember.

Three Things To Remember About Mold

1. Mold Starts Small

All mold, including black mold, starts small. That is with a single spore too small to be seen by the naked eye. This is why many remediation services will first test for mold to confirm its presence before beginning the cleanup process. These tests may include taking a physical sample of a material where mold may be growing, swabbing a potential area, or air testing. Doing so can confirm the presence of unseen mold, and help identify what type of spores they are dealing with.

2. Mold Grows in Specific Conditions

There are several conditions that are required for spreading mold. Mold is a fungus which means it first must have organic materials which it can break down for nutrients. These may be wood, drywall, carpeting, or plant matter. Mold spores also require moisture which can come from pooling water, condensation, or even a space of high humidity. Mold also grows better in dark or dim areas.

3. Mold Spreads via Spores

Another thing to be aware of during mold remediation, is the fact that mold spreads by spores. This means that in many cases your remediation service will first contain the area where mold is present before beginning clean up. Doing so can help ensure that spores do not migrate to other areas of the home where they can cause future problems.

When learning how to prevent spreading mold in the home, it’s important to understand the life-cycle of mold and how it grows. Remember, mold starts small with a single spore and then absorbs the nutrients around it until it can create more spores and generate a colony. It prefers dark and wet conditions, and if found should be removed as quickly as possible. It’s best to contact a professional for this task.