Bethlehem Mold Damage--How Mold Grows and Spreads

10/20/2016 (Permalink)

Moisture Invites Mold Damage in Bethlehem

SERVPRO Expertly Remediates Mold Damage in Homes and Businesses in Bethlehem

One of the first questions we get whenever we find a mold infestation is "How did I get that?" Many homeowners get offended, thinking that we are accusing them of keeping a dirty house. In reality, housekeeping has little to nothing to do with getting mold.

Mold damage to Bethlehem homes starts with tiny spores smaller than even a mustard seed. Even a mass of these spores can still be smaller than the head of a pin and be hidden away in the corner of a basement or on the back of an air vent. If something disturbs the mass, then the released spores can spread through a home very quickly. When that happens, SERVPRO is ready to deal with what comes next.

The mold spores will eventually find a surface to settle on. If the conditions aren't good for growth, the spores can lay dormant for a very long time. What they need to start growing is moisture, a high enough temperature, and a food source. Lack of sunlight also helps.
Enough moisture is the first step. With it, the spores begin to swell and send out hyphae which can act as a type of root or grow across a surface looking for food and producing more spores. For most molds, the ideal temperature range for growth is between 68 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit. There are though that can grow at 32 degrees or in an area as hot as 122 degrees.

When it comes to food, mold likes any organic material in your house. The paper material in drywall is usually the largest food source and why mold growth tends to show up there first. That said, the wood in floors and every type of carpet is equally at risk considering that these are the hardest areas to dry to prevent mold growth properly.

SERVPRO of Alexander & Caldwell Counties is dedicated to getting our fellow Carolinians back into their homes as quickly as possible. If we can't clean it for you, we'll remove it in the safest manner possible. If you suspect that you have a mold infestation, call us at (828) 396-1070 today.