The main things that mold spores need to form into visible mold growth are a source of moisture and an organic food source. Moisture is the main factor that attracts mold which is why mold growth is common in kitchens, bathrooms, attics, basements, crawlspaces, and areas affected by flooding or water damage. The main indoor food source for mold is cellulose which is an organic substance found in many common household materials such as wood, drywall, insulation, carpeting, upholstery, wallpaper, paper products, adhesives, clothing, and more.
Mold growth takes hold on surfaces and objects that contain cellulose, and the mold colony will feed on the affected materials. This causes the mold colony to grow while gradually damaging the affected materials as the mold continues to feed on cellulose. This can lead to significant, often permanent damage to affected carpeting, clothing, upholstery, and other similar materials. As mold eats away at drywall and wood surfaces, these materials will become weakened which threatens their structural integrity in extreme cases.
Once mold growth forms, it can spread to new areas at any time. Mold colonies disperse spores into the air which increases the natural concentration and the risk that mold growth will form in new areas of the home or building. This is why it is very important to address mold growth as soon as you find it on your property.

Mold removal is the process of removing mold growth from a property, but this does not include finding and addressing the moisture source that caused the mold growth or returning the mold concentration to a safe level. Mold remediation is a comprehensive service in which mold growth is removed and all problems related to the mold growth, including addressing the source of the moisture, drying affected areas, repairing structural damage, and testing to ensure safe levels of mold, are also addressed.

Mold abatement typically refers to the process of removing mold from homes and buildings without necessarily addressing the issues that caused the mold growth. With mold remediation, the cause of the mold is also addressed to ensure that there is no future mold growth.

Mold mitigation is the process of physically removing mold growth and materials permanently damaged by mold while mold remediation also focuses on bringing the mold levels back down to safe, natural levels.

Mold treatment is the process of treating affected non-porous surfaces and objects with biocides and antimicrobials to kill any traces of mold and prevent the mold from reproducing and reappearing. This is often a step included in comprehensive mold remediation services.

The best way to reduce the level of mold spores in the air in your home is with an air purifier. Air purifiers work by drawing in air and running it through a filter that kills spores and other contaminants. You should only use air purifiers with high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters that capture and kill more than 99% or airborne particles.

Mold decontamination is similar to mold treatment in that it involves decontaminating surfaces affected by mold to kill traces of mold and help protect the surface from future mold growth. This process can be done on its own for minor mold growth on non-porous surfaces and it is also one of the steps of comprehensive mold remediation services.

Mold encapsulation is the process of treating mold affected surfaces that cannot be cleaned with a mold sealant that encapsulates the mold growth and prevents it from growing or spreading further. With the mold remediation process, surfaces affected by mold that cannot be cleaned are typically removed and replaced to ensure complete mold removal

Mold colonies form on surfaces, objects, and materials that contain organic matter that serves as its food source. Mold can cause staining of the affected surfaces and objects and deterioration of fabrics and other similar materials. As the mold colonies eat away at wood, drywall, and other similar materials, they may become severely weakened over time which can cause serious structural damage within a home or building. There is also a high risk of mold growth spreading to new areas on the property by dispersing its spores.
Most types of mold release toxins that can trigger a number of allergic reactions in immunocompromised, mold-allergic, and non-allergic people. Allergic reactions occur when mold growth is touched, or mold spores are inhaled. The most common allergic reactions include headaches, coughing, sneezing, runny nose, skin irritation, and irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat. It can also trigger asthma attacks in those with asthma.

The Health Effects of Mold Growth in Your Home

Mold is a fungus that consists of multiple identical nuclei and it often penetrates the surfaces it affects. Mold appears fuzzy or slimy and may be one of several colors including black, green, or brown. Mildew is a form of mold that grows flat on surfaces and can often be removed rather easily because it does not penetrate surfaces like other types of mold. Mildew appears on damp surfaces and looks white and powdery.
While other types of mold are typically more damaging and dangerous, mildew can also cause property damage and affect your health.

Mold vs Mildew: The Main Differences between Mold and Mildew

Mold is a common problem that is often misunderstood. Here are some common myths about mold and the truth about each one:
• All mold is dangerous: It is true that most types of mold are dangerous and can cause health issues like allergic reactions. However, some forms of mold are largely harmless while others can be beneficial such as Penicillium which is where Penicillin comes from.
• Bleach kills mold: Bleach only kills live mold on the surface of affected materials. It does not penetrate the surface to kill deeper mold, and it does not kill mold spores.
• Homes and buildings should be mold free: There is always a natural concentration of mold spores in the air which makes it impossible to completely remove mold spores. It is important to keep the mold spores at a safe, natural level and help prevent conditions that cause the spores to form into mold colonies.
• Small mold outbreaks can be ignored: No amount of mold found indoors should be ignored. Mold will continue to spread and the damage it causes will continue to get worse until it is removed. It is better to remove small amounts of mold right away while the removal process is much easier.
• You can clean mold yourself: Using the right cleaning solution, you can remove small outbreaks of mold. Attempting to remove larger mold outbreaks is dangerous as you may put your health at risk or cause the mold colonies to disperse spores which will spread the growth. It is usually best to call a mold remediation professional to handle the mold cleanup and removal.

Mold Myths, Busted

Mildew is a type of mold that forms on the surface of affected objects and materials and rarely penetrates below the surface. You can remove mildew from outdoor furniture cushions using one of these methods:
• Apply Borax: Borax is a natural cleaner that removes mildew and disinfects the cushions.
• White vinegar: White vinegar is a non-toxic, environmentally friendly cleaning option that can remove light mildew from cushions. You can either wash the cushions in the washing machine with one cup of distilled white vinegar or spray the white vinegar on the cushions and let it sit for ten minutes before scrubbing it with a solution of one tablespoon of dish soap in three cups of warm water.
• Pressure washing: Soak the cushions in water and use a pressure washer at the lowest PSI to spray the cushions in a horizontal sweeping motion. Let the cleaning solution sit on the cushions and then scrub the mildew away with a brush. Rinse the cushions to remove all soap residue and allow them to dry.

How to Remove Mildew from Outdoor Cushions

There are several professionals in the industry that provide effective mold remediation services that include:

• RestorationMaster Finder
• Servpro
• Duraclean
• ServiceMaster
• 911 Restoration
• 1800 Water Damage

Homeowner’s insurance policies typically cover mold remediation if the mold growth is caused by a covered sudden or accidental peril and if the mold growth is hidden within walls, above ceilings, or beneath flooring. This covers pipe bursts, appliance malfunctions, overflows, and leaks from rainfall which is considered an act of nature.
Typical homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover mold growth caused by flooding or mold caused by a problem that was neglected.

Renter’s insurance can cover mold remediation for damage to your personal property if the mold was caused by a covered peril or natural disaster, including pipe bursts, appliance leaks, fires, vandalism, plumbing issues, and more. Mold remediation is not covered if the mold was caused by flooding or neglect.
If the mold growth causes damage to the home or apartment and not to your personal property, mold remediation is the responsibility of the landlord.