Common causes of mold growth in Bentonville, AR

At some point, every single one of us will deal with mold. It might be a relatively minor growth in the tiles of your bathroom, or you might discover widespread attic mold that is encroaching upon your living space. Either way, the problem requires a solution. That solution comes in the form of professional mold remediation from certified experts. Before that, however, you’ll need to know the common causes of mold and the health hazards associated with a mold infestation. This information can help you act appropriately and resolve your mold troubles early.

The Causes of Mold

In order for mold to form a growth in your home, it needs multiple elements. Under the right conditions, small patches of mold will become a widespread infestation that you must deal with quickly.

In order to prevent mold, it’s important to eliminate these elements from your property.

• Mold Spores – First, there must be mold spores in the air. That’s easy, though, as there are mold spores in every environment on the planet. They’re in the air we breathe each day, on our clothing, and inside of our homes.
• Moisture – Without moisture, mold cannot grow. There must be a specific water content in your home, such as from recent water damage or humidity.
• Food – Mold is a life-form. As such, it needs food to survive. In your home, that means sheetrock, wood, newspaper, or fabrics.
• Oxygen – Mold cannot live without oxygen, which, like mold spores, is all around us. Furthermore, air allows mold to spread from one room to many.
• Darkness – Mold cannot properly grow or flourish in direct sunlight. A bit of darkness, like in an attic or basement, is ideal.
• Temperature – Temperatures above 71 degrees and humidity above 50% encourage mold growth.

Health Concerns Associated with Mold

There are three primary types of harmful mold: allergenic, pathogenic, and toxigenic. These affect the body in different ways. How you react depends on the type of mold, the amount of mold, the species, and your own health.

For most, mold exposure leads to fever, nausea, fatigue, skin rash, a weakened immune system, acute liver damage, acute nervous system disorders, hormone disorders, and an increased risk of cancer. Many endure flu-like symptoms and then seek treatment from a medical professional. At the first sign of mold exposure, do so yourself.

If you notice mold in your attic, basement, or bathroom, call Restoration 1 of Northwest Arkansas for 24-hour mold remediation. You can reach us at any hour.