Not all ugly patches of Fungi are the same.
Mold can ruin just about anything it gets its spores on. When you first spot a blotch of evil mod in the bathroom or the basement, is it time to burn down the house and start over? Or can you handle the problem yourself?
First, it's important to know just how bad mold can be. Mold can cause difficulty breathing, eye irritation, sore throat, sneezing, rashes, confusion, fatigue, and many other symptoms that seem flu or allergy-related. Dangerous black mold can cause severe respiratory problems including bleeding in the lungs.
Put another way: Mold is bad news. Prevention and early detection are the best ways to fight back against this evil substance.
Understanding the enemy:
We think of a mold as a four-legged stool that needs four things to stay alive and thrive: Air, water, food, and a temperature between 41 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Knock out any legs of that stool, and the stool falls. But because mold can feed on a variety of surfaces (wood, fabric, even wallpaper) it's difficult to remove the food source. And controlling temperature and oxygen can be nearly impossible. As such, one of the best ways to fight mold is drying the area with proper ventilation.
Conditions required for mold growth:
- Air
- Water
- Food
- Temperature between 41 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit
Mildew; The Lesser of Two Evils
Mildew and mold are both fungi, but mildew is not as invasive or troublesome as other types of mold. Typically found in wet areas, mildew looks grayish-white and may turn brown. It's flat and powdery and it's an easier fungus to clean because it lives only on the surface of a material (such as bathroom tile). If you see powdery white specks collecting in the corner of a shower, you should be able to clean it away entirely with a cleaning product such as bleach or vinegar. (Use one cup of bleach per 1 gallon of water.)
Mildew can cause similar allergic reactions to that of mold, but because it's easier to eliminate, it's less of a threat. A little bleach can stop mildew dead in its tracks.
Typical Traits of Mildew:
- grayish-white or brown
- Powdery appearance
- Foul odor
Mold: Now You've Got Issues
The warning signs of a mold invasion are often hard to spot, which is why it can sneak up on a homeowner. The first clue you have mold is a foul odor. If you notice a musty, pungent smell, chances are good that mold is hiding somewhere nearby. Get out the flashlight and facemask, and start hunting.
Mold will appear fuzzier and darker than mildew, but it can grow in a variety of colors, from bright reds to dark, swampy greens. Because it can look like nothing more than a small patch of dirt, it's easy to ignore mold problems until it's too late. And like a cockroach, if you see one spot of mold on the surface, there might be much more mold hidden out of sight. For that reason, mold removal can be expensive and labor-intensive.
Typical Traits of Mold:
- Black, bright red to dark green
- Fuzzy appearance
- Musty smell
When in Doubt, Call for Help
Small mold problems in the bathroom can be handled with a little elbow grease, but for larger, more invasive problems, always seek proper professional help. If you're worried that the mold problem is too big for you to handle, or if there's a chance more mold might be living elsewhere in your home, don't hesitate to call a professional. According to HouseLogic.com, it can cost between $2,000 and $6,000 to clean mold from air ducts, crawl spaces, walls, and attics.
Strike First: Preemptive Solutions to Mold Problems
Mold is a serious concern, and if you're in the process of building or renovating a home, mold-resistant products will help reduce your risk of encountering mold. Remember, mold loves moisture so keeping moisture out of your house helps keep mold out of your house. The fight against mold has become high-tech and scientific.
Here are the best ways to keep your house dry:
1). Start from the outside of your house. Use a water-resistant membrane such as CertainTeed's CertaWrap™ to keep the whole house dry.
2). On the inside of your home, protect your walls. First, apply a protective coating directly to the framework to inhibit the growth of mold in the wall cavity after it is sealed.
3). Select a moisture-managing insulation. CertainTeed's insulation keeps your walls dry year-round using MoisureSense technology.
4). Follow that with a mold-resistant drywall such as M2Tech® Mold and Moisture Resistant Drywall. This is especially important in areas with high moisture content such as kitchens, baths, and laundry rooms. AirRenew drywall also helps clean the air by absorbing formaldehyde.
5). Don't forget the walls behind decorative features like tile backsplashes or shower surrounds. While tile might seem to be waterproof, it is not. CertainTeed's GlasRoc® Tilebacker protects tile installations and the walls behind from moisture intrusion.
When it comes to combatting mold and mildew at home it is particularly important to pay special attention to areas of high moisture including kitchens, baths, laundry rooms and basements.
Next Steps
Visit our Moisture Management Solutions for more information on combatting moisture in your home and keeping your walls dry. Concerned you may have a mold problem? Let us put you in touch with a contractor that can help.
