How Does Mold Spread?

Mold needs four things to grow - water, an organic food source, oxygen and warm temperature between 40 degrees and 100 degrees F. It can grow anywhere, on wood, paper, synthetic materials, paint, adhesives, concrete, plastic, glass, metal, on dirt and dusty surfaces, but they thrive best on damp and wet materials.

Molds have spores that look like very small seeds and hair-like bodies that are too small to see without a microscope. They grow in colonies and one way for them to spread out is by extending their tiny root hairs to other surface areas. As long as conditions are right, which means they have food, water, oxygen and warm temperature, they will continue to grow and spread over an increasing area until a small colony of mold becomes larger and covers many square feet of material.

Another way for molds to spread is by releasing spores, which are carried by air or water to new locations. Mold spores are very small, so tiny that they defy gravity and don’t fall into the ground but float in the air and move wherever the wind blows. When the spores land in damp surfaces they’ll stick on it and when there is food and oxygen available, and if the temperature suits them, they will start to grow.

Mold spores are found everywhere. Wherever there is decaying organic material, such as fallen leaves, dead plants, mulch, and wood, there will be mold and mold spores always present in the air. They will survive in both the outdoor air and indoor air whatever the conditions are, no matter if it’s too sunny, hot, cold, dry or wet. We cannot get rid of airborne mold spores completely, except if special preventive measures are taken to deliberately remove or kill them such as in a clean room used for making pharmaceutical products or for scientific research and in hospital operating theaters.

It’s impossible to keep our home, or any place for that matter, free of mold.

What needs to be done is to control the amount of mold in the indoor environment because too much mold can cause indoor air quality problems that can affect our health and those of other family members. In addition to health effects, mold can cause significant structural damage to the home and destroy building materials such drywall, wood frames or gypsum boards.

Preventing  Mold in the Home

The best way to control and prevent the growth of mold inside the home is to keep the surroundings clean and dry. The home already contains plenty of food sources for mold to feed on, such as drywall, wood sidings, walls, and floors, wooden columns, supports, window frames, cabinets, interior walls, carpets, furniture, sheets, lamp shades, and other building materials. Mold can also feed on dead tissues of cockroaches, dust mite feces, skin flakes and food particles. It can even thrive on dust, so any dust buildup is a hotbed for mold. Since the home is already a natural food source for mold, what you want to watch out for that is within your control is the presence of too much moisture within the indoor environment. Water is one basic component needed for mold to grow, and as long as it has water mold will continue to grow and spread out quickly.

Always make sure to dry surface areas that can quickly absorb water, such as carpets, wood floors and furniture. Look for areas of dampness or wet spots where water pools, such as in ceilings, basements and under sinks. Water leaks from damage roof and plumbing can cause continuous moisture problems that can start mold growth. If you suspect you have mold growing inside your home, call a mold removal company right away to schedule an inspection so you will know for sure if you have a mold problem to deal with.