If it's old and moldy, and not Grandma, than it is probably time to get rid of it. Removing mold can be the first step to a healthier you. Baie-Comeau mold specialists can help you to determine if that hidden fungus is a silent killer, and can help you to strike first. Be the best Baie-Comeau mold outlaw that you can.
Molds are a fungus that, unlike plants, lack chlorophyll and must survive by digesting plant and other organic materials for food. Molds reproduce by means of tiny spores that can be found in both indoor and outdoor air. Outdoors, molds play a part in nature by breaking down dead organic matter such as fallen leaves and dead trees, but indoors, mold growth should be avoided. Mold may begin growing indoors when mold spores land on surfaces that are wet.
Common sites for indoor mold growth include bathroom tiles, basement walls, areas around windows where moisture condenses, and areas near leaky water fountains or sinks. Common sources or causes of water or moisture problems include roof leaks, localized flooding due to plumbing failures or heavy rains, slow leaks in plumbing fixtures, and malfunction or poor design of humidification systems. Uncontrolled humidity can also be a source of moisture leading to mold growth, particularly in hot, humid climates.
Mold growth can lead to rot, structural damage, premature paint failure, and a variety of other problems in your home. Building occupants may also begin to report odors and a variety of health problems, such as headaches, breathing difficulties, skin irritation, allergic reactions, and aggravation of asthma symptoms. Molds produce allergens, irritants, and in some cases, toxins that may cause reactions in humans. The types and severity of symptoms depend, in part, on the types of mold present, the extent of the individuals' exposure, the ages of the individuals, and their existing sensitivities or allergies.
There is no practical way to eliminate all molds and mold spores in the indoor environment. However, indoor mold growth can be prevented or controlled by controlling moisture. If there is mold growth in your home, you must clean up the mold and fix the water problem. If you clean up the mold, but do not fix the water problem, then the mold problem will return.
For additional information on mold, you may wish to consult the following resources: