Texas licensed mold remediation company in Houston provides mold removal in residential and commercial buildings

1. Is mold common in homes and buildings?
2. How does mold get indoors and how does it grow?
3. How do I know if I have a mold problem?
4. What do I do if I have mold in my home or office?
5. Can I get rid of mold myself?
6. How do I keep mold out of my home or office?
7. What is Stachybotrys? 

  

1. Is mold common in homes and buildings?   Molds are very common in buildings and homes and will grow anywhere indoors where there is moisture.   The most common indoor molds are Cladosporium, Penicillium, Aspergillus, and Alternaria.  Cladosporium is also the most common mold outdoors.  Penicillium and Aspergillus are usually associated with water damage.
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2. How does mold get indoors and how does it grow?   Molds naturally grow in the indoor environment.   Mold spores may also enter your home or office through open doorways, windows, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems.   
   
   When mold spores drop on places where there is moisture, such as where leakage may have occurred in roofs, pipes, walls, plant pots, or where there has been flooding, they will grow. Many building materials provide nutrients that encourage mold to grow.   Wet cellulose materials, including paper and paper products, sheetrock, cardboard, ceiling tiles, wood, and wood products, are particularly conducive for the growth of some molds.  Other materials such as dust, paints, wallpaper, insulation materials, drywall, carpet, fabric, and upholstery, commonly support mold growth.
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3. How do I know if I have a mold problem?  Large mold infestations can usually be seen or smelled.  If you have had a water damage situation and have not cared for it properly, you can expect to have mold.  Many times, slow leaks go undetected for months inside a wall cavity and mold may be growing without being seen.
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4. What do I do if I have mold in my home or office?  Mold growing in homes and buildings indicates that there is a problem with water or moisture.  The source of water is the first problem that needs to be addressed.  Mold can be cleaned off many surfaces with a water and bleach solution.  Typical examples include bathroom tile, window sills and air conditioning vents.  Mold can grow around window sills where condensation builds up due to the variance in temperature between outside and inside.   Mold can reoccur on bathroom tile due to the damp environment typical of a bathroom.  Improper exhaust ventilation contributes to mold growth in bathrooms.  Mold can grow under carpets in areas where water has been introduced and typically requires that the carpets be removed.  Bathrooms with carpet or carpeted rooms that have traffic from a pool area are more susceptible to mold growth.  Once mold starts to grow in insulation or wallboard the only proper way to deal with the problem is by proper removal and replacement.
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5. Can I get rid of mold myself?  In some cases mold can be removed by a thorough cleaning with bleach and water, such as around bathroom tile or window sills.   If you have visible mold on sheetrock, wallpaper or persistently reoccurring when you try to clean it you should contact a professional remediator who has experience in cleaning mold in buildings and homes.
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6. How do I keep mold out of my home or office?  As part of routine maintenance, your home or office should be inspected for evidence of water damage and visible mold.   The conditions causing mold (such as water leaks, condensation, infiltration, or flooding) should be corrected to prevent mold from growing.  If you have a sudden or accidental water discharge, you should attempt to dry out the area as soon as possible.  Many times it is necessary to call a professional restoration company that has proper equipment to speed the drying process.  Your insurance will cover these charges in most instances, less your deductible.  More specific recommendations include: Keep humidity level in house below 50%; Use air conditioner or a dehumidifier during humid months; Be sure home has adequate ventilation, including exhaust fans in kitchen and bathrooms; Use mold inhibitors which can be added to paints; Clean bathroom with mold killing products; Do not carpet bathrooms; Remove flooded carpets and drywall as soon as possible.
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7. What is Stachybotrys? Stachybotrys chartarum (also known by its synonym Stachybotrys atra) is a greenish-black mold.   It can grow on material with a high cellulose and low nitrogen content, such as fiberboard, gypsum board, paper, dust, and lint.  Constant moisture is required for its growth.
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