| Molds and fungi are found everywhere inside and | | | | (see also dust mites). After a single incident of water |
| outside, and can grow on almost any substance when | | | | damage occurs in a building, molds grow inside walls |
| moisture is present. Molds when they reproduce make | | | | and then become dormant until a subsequent incident |
| spores, which can be carried by air currents. When | | | | of high humidity; this illustrates how mold can appear to |
| these spores land on a moist surface that is suitable | | | | be a sudden problem, long after a previous flood or |
| for life, they begin to grow. Molds are essential to the | | | | water incident that did not produce a mold-related |
| natural breakdown of organic materials in the | | | | problem. The right conditions re-activate mold. Studies |
| environment. Mold is normally found indoors at levels | | | | also show that mycotoxin levels are perceptibly higher |
| that do not affect most healthy individuals. When these | | | | in buildings that have once had a water incident |
| levels become abnormally high as determined by | | | | (source CMHC). |
| indoor air quality testing or a mold inspection, | | | | Whether if a home suffered only from minor water |
| remediation is recommended to be carried out by a | | | | damage, small leaks and inadequate air flow permitted |
| professional remediation company. | | | | a mold infestation. Both our indoor and outdoor |
| Because common building materials are capable of | | | | environment has mold spores present. There is no |
| sustaining mold growth, and mold spores are ubiquitous, | | | | such thing as a mold free environment in the Earth's |
| mold growth in an indoor environment is typically | | | | biosphere. |
| related to an indoor water or moisture problem. Mold | | | | Mold Spores need three things to grow into mold: • |
| growth may also be caused by incomplete drying of | | | | Nutrients: Food for spores in an indoor environment is |
| flooring materials such as concrete. Leaky roofs, | | | | organic matter, often cellulose. • Moisture: Moisture |
| building maintenance problems, or indoor plumbing | | | | is required to begin the decaying process caused by |
| problems can lead to mold growth inside homes, | | | | the mold. • Time: Mold growth begins between 24 |
| schools, or office buildings. Another common source of | | | | hours and 10 days from the provision of the growing |
| mold growth is flooding. For significant mold growth to | | | | conditions. There is no known way to date mold. |
| occur, there must be a source of water (which could | | | | Mold has a crucial impact on human health, if not |
| be invisible humidity), a source of food, and a substrate | | | | identified and treated on time the consequences may |
| capable of sustaining growth. Common building | | | | be dangerous including permanent damages to the |
| materials, such as plywood, drywall, furring strips, | | | | human immunization system. 911 Restoration |
| carpets, and carpet padding are food for molds. In | | | | recommends an annual mold air test to each home or |
| carpet, invisible dust and cellulose are the food sources | | | | business to prevent mold health hazards. |