Molds are fungi that can be found both indoors and outdoors. No one knows how many species of fungi exist, but estimates range from tens of thousands to perhaps three hundred thousand or more. Molds grow best in warm, damp, and humid conditions, and spread and reproduce by making spores. Mold spores can survive harsh environmental conditions, such as as dry conditions, that do not support normal growth.

Large mold infestations can usually be seen or smelled. The walls or ceiling may be discolored or show signs of water damage and mold growth. You may smell a musty, earthy odor or a foul stench. We offer free inspections and would be glad to help you determine if you have a mold problem and let you know how it could be removed and the water damaged corrected.

Molds are very common in buildings and homes and will grow anywhere indoors where there is moisture. The most common indoor molds are Cladosporium, Penicillium, Aspergillus, and Alternaria.

People with asthma, allergies, or other breathing condition may be more sensitive to mold. People with immune suppression (such as people with HIV infection, cancer patients taking chemotherapy, and people who have received an organ transplant) are more susceptible to mold infections. Small children and the elderly are also more susceptible.

Mold spores occur in the indoor and outdoor environments. Mold spores may enter your house from the outside through open doorways, windows, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems with outdoor air intakes. Spores in the air outside also attach themselves to people and animals, making clothing, shoes, bags and pets convenient vehicles for carrying mold indoors. When mold spores drop on places where there is excessive moisture, such as where leakage may have occurred in roofs, pipes, walls, plant post, or where there has been flooding, they will grow.

Mold growing in homes indicates that there is a problem with water or moisture. Mold can be growing inside walls or underneath carpets and it may be very hard to find and remove it all yourself. Once mold starts to grow in insulation or wallboard, the only way to deal with the problem is by removal and replacement. It is important to properly clean and dry the area as you can still have an allergic reaction to parts of the dead mold and mold contamination may recur if there is still a source of moisture.

If you suspect that you have mold growth in your home, we would be happy to come out and give you a free inspection. If there is mold growth, it is important to disinfect and remove all mold, as well as fixing any water damage and leaks.

Small amounts of mold can be removed from hard surfaces by a thorough cleaning with a bleach and water solution or soap and water. Absorbent or porous materials like ceiling tiles, drywall, and carpet may have to be thrown away if they become moldy.

As part of routine building maintenance, buildings should be inspected for evidence of water damage and visible mold. The conditions causing mold (such as water leaks, condensation, infiltration, or flooding) should be corrected to prevent mold from growing. Mold spores must have moisture to grow. Controlling moisture in your home is the most critical factor for preventing mold growth.

You should first consult a family or general health care provider who will decide whether you need referral to a specialist. Such specialists might include an allergist who treats patients with mold allergies or an infectious disease physician who treats mold infections. If an infection is in the lungs, a pulmonary physician might be recommended.

Sensitive individuals should avoid areas that are likely to have mold, such as compost piles, cut grass, and wooded areas. Inside homes, mold growth can be slowed by keeping humidity levels between 40% and 60%, and ventilating showers and cooking areas. If there is mold growth in your home, you should have the mold cleaned up and have the water problem fixed. We would be happy to come out for a free inspection.

Some people are sensitive to molds. For these people, exposure to molds can cause symptoms such as nasal stuffiness, eye irritation, wheezing, or skin irritation. Some people, such as those with serious allergies to molds, may have more severe reactions. Severe reactions may include fever and shortness of breath. Some people with chronic lung illnesses, such as obstructive lung disease, may develop mold infections in their lungs. People with allergies may be more sensitive to molds. People with immune suppression or underlying lung disease are more susceptible to fungal infections.

Information provided courtesy the Center for Disease Control and the Environmental Protection Agency .