Understanding Mold

2/6/2017 (Permalink)

The Key to Mold Control is Moisture Control!

“I think I have toxic black mold at my property!”

If we had a nickel for every time we heard someone say this…

Mold is a situation that’s never pleasant to come across at a property. We’ve learned in over the past 3 decades of being in business, the conversations that surround mold can sometimes be confusing, full of headaches and unnecessary concerns. Although it’s still a topic of heated debate in some circles, we have boiled down some basic guidelines to understanding what mold is and should SERVPRO of Burbank help you with a future mold issue, below is what you can expect:

• Mold can be found almost anywhere; it can grow on virtually any organic material, as long as moisture and oxygen are present.


• There are molds that can grow on wood, paper, carpet, foods, and insulation. Molds reproduce by making spores that cannot be seen without magnification. Mold spores waft through the indoor and outdoor air continually.


• When mold spores land on a damp spot indoors, they may begin growing and digesting whatever they are growing on in order to survive. Molds gradually destroy the things they grow on. Bacteria can start to grow within hours and mold can start to grow within days. Mold spores can lay dormant for years until an ideal growing condition develops, in which they start to flourish. Especially during the summer, the warm humid conditions are a perfect micro-environment for mold growth.


• When excessive moisture accumulates in buildings or on building materials, mold growth will often occur—particularly if the moisture problem remains undiscovered or unaddressed.


• Before the growth of mold becomes visible, there may be a faint musty or earthy smell. In time, mold will appear on the outside of the wall as a stain or discoloration. In a standard situation, SERVPRO of Burbank examines the structure for any visible signs of mold and removes the mold growth and excess spores, returning the area back to normal levels.


• All molds have the potential to cause health effects. 


• Potential health concerns is an important reason to prevent mold growth to form an address any existing mold growth indoors.


• It is impossible to eliminate all molds and mold spores in an indoor environment, with the exception being in a proper containment after a mold remediation job is complete by a SERVPRO of Burbank professional. To confirm mold is no longer present, an Industrial Hygienist (CIH) will take a spore count to confirm mold is no longer present.


• The purpose of mold remediation is to remove the mold to prevent human exposure and damage to building materials and furnishings. It is necessary to clean up mold contamination, not just kill it.


• Mold growth can be controlled indoors by controlling the moisture.


• Some situations require the assistance of an Indoor Air Quality/Environmental Professional (IEP) with specialized equipment and services needed to assess and/or repair the structure. IEPs can test and clear a structure for mold by collecting air and surface samples. Then they can determine whether the mold has been successfully decontaminated.


• Mold growth can be controlled indoors by controlling the moisture.

If you suspect mold at your property, feel free to call SERVPRO of Burbank at (818) 842-1400 and get connected to one of our highly trained mold remediation technicians.