How Mold Can Damage Your Home in Sawmills

1/16/2017 (Permalink)

Mold in Sawmills Gets Cleaned Up by SERVPRO

Remediation Done Quickly Mitigates Mold Damage

There are many different substances in the air we breathe in addition to the oxygen we need. These things include microorganisms such as mold, bacteria, and viruses, plus water vapor and dust of all types. Occurring naturally, these substances are impossible to eliminate from a home, no matter how clean it is kept.

Sawmills homes can often have signs of mold damage that are sometimes ignored by homeowners. A very common warning sign of mold growth is a musty odor that rarely goes away completely, although it may seem to decrease at times. This ebb and flow of this odor do not mean that the mold is going away or dying off.
 
Dusting is one way that dust and mold spores can end up in the air after having settled on surfaces. When the mold is left on these surfaces, though, it has the time needed to ruin many of your belongings. Items made of organic matter, particularly cellulose, are favorite targets of mold. Books, especially older ones, can provide a treasure trove for mold to survive on. Because of the vast surface area of the pages of even just one book, mold has room to grow. The absorbent nature of paper adds to the situation in mold's favor by capturing moisture from the ambient air.
 
While mold spores are circulating in the air, they can travel anywhere in your home. When they settle on something, they are inactive and not growing. A small amount of moisture, along with some time in low-light conditions, and mold can soon begin to flourish. Before long, newly established colonies send off their spores. Colonies can take on various patterns on the surfaces they grow on. Sometimes it is a solid dustiness covering a wall or ceiling (like mildew). Other displays of mold growth can be much more dramatic. Different colored round areas in a variety of sizes happen with high frequency. While they may seem colorful, the mold is damaging the underlying drywall, disintegrating the materials. This mold growth and hyphae penetration cause drywall to crumble easily. It can also mean that mold is growing inside of the walls, affecting supporting wall beams.
 
When spores land on clothing and other textiles, spotting and staining of these items is almost unavoidable without some intervention. Washing regularly can help prevent this from happening, but once the mold has started to grow, special equipment must be utilized. SERVPRO has used the ESporta system with excellent results to remove stains that were otherwise permanent. Clothing, stuffed toys, draperies and curtains, furniture cushions, and bedding are among some of the many items that we have been able to restore.
 
When mold damage is threatening your home and your belongings, call us, SERVPRO of Alexander & Caldwell Counties at (828) 396-1070.