Saturday, July 6, 2013

Does a Water Leak Always Mean Mold?


Mold requires only three things to flourish in your home; source of moisture, some food and a friendly environment. The key point is that it needs all three things in order to survive. Take away just one component and mold will either die off or go into dormancy. So use knowledge in your war on mold.

Mold occurs everywhere in nature, with an estimated 100,000 different varieties in existence. Approximately 50 to 100 species of this fungi would like to take up residence in your home. It can remain dormant for a long time, decades in fact, without any water and suddenly revive upon the reintroduction of moisture.

Mold has no problem finding a food source in the average home. Paint, drywall and even the dust that settles in fiberglass insulation are all common types of food source that mold enjoys. No matter how clean you keep your house, those microscopic particles of mold will always find something to eat.

Virtually every home maintains an ideal temperature for mold to grow. Generally most of these fungi do well in an environment of approximately 32簞F to 80簞F. Unfortunately, they grow best in the same temperatures that humans enjoy to live in as well.

The introduction of water into a mold-friendly environment is almost always responsible for the sudden occurrence of mold. Whenever you notice a water leak you should get it fixed as soon as possible. The quicker it is fixed, the less of a chance that mold will gain a foothold in your house. Water leaks can cause other damage as well, so it is in your best interest to get the problem solved as soon as possible.

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