When it comes to mold, one has to keep in mind that it is a highly hazardous fungus and it is best to have the professionals deal with it. Most is dangerous and should be handled properly, by people with training, equipment and expertise.
Usually, mold starts growing on the porous surfaces after a water damage that was not properly restored. The resulting elevated humidity and porous surfaces create ideal conditions for mold forming. This process is called germination: a mold spore begins to grow and develop into a visible mold colony.
The growth starts with landing of a mold spore on the wet area. Remember the mold spores are always present in the air all around us. However, they need the right conditions to start growing a colony. Untreated water damage often presents such conditions. Moisture provides the right environment and nutrients (like cellulose often found in building materials) for mold spores germination.
When spores germinate, they start producing the long branching structure called hypha. It growth into the surface of a porous materials (such as drywall for example) and starts absorbing the nutrients. As the new branches are formed, they create a network of branches called mycelium. This is now visible mold that we can see on the surface (of the drywall after water damage as an example). Once mycelium matures it begins to produce spores that are release into the air in search of other surfaces to start the new colony.
Mold remediation refers to are environmental treatment to filter the air in the areas where mold was found. Mold restoration, on the other hand, is the process of complete mold treatment, from removal to drying to rebuilding. Usually, the restoration process is broken into the following stages:
As can be seen from above, this is not a DYI type project and should be entrusted to certified professionals who have the right expertise and equipment.
RESIDENTIAL MOLD REMEDIATION FAQ
Mold usually follows a water leak. It thrives in warm and humid environments (usually 60% relative humidity or higher). This means in order to prevent the mold growth you need to fix the leaks promptly. Dry the property if needed, use proper ventilation when using bathrooms or kitchens.
While there are many different types of mold that are known to exist, some are more toxic than others. Here is some information published by CDC that may be of interest: https://www.cdc.gov/mold/faqs.htm.
In addition to numerous adverse health effects, mold is also cause damage to your homes structure, which will result in loss of the property value.
Mold remediation should be done by trained and certified restoration professionals who are familiar with the restoration process and have the appropriate equipment to use.
