6 Common Mold Myths Busted
Posted in Mold Inspection & Removal, on June 16, 2020
Many homeowners have misconceptions about household mold, and when trying to understand the phenomena, there are more questions than answers. If a mold outbreak is suspected, it’s wise to arrange for professional mold inspection, and if necessary, to have professional mold removal. The short story is that household mold can be anything from benign to something more toxic.
Mold Myths VS Facts
1. Your home should be free of mold
Mold and mold spores are naturally occurring in the environment – both indoors and outdoors. As such, it would be virtually impossible for a home to be completely free of mold from basement to attic. The fact is, a mold outbreak is only a health issue when colonies are large and visible. This is the time to consider having a professional mold inspection and potential mold removal.
2. Most mold deposits are harmless
When a mold deposit is suspected (or discovered), allowing further growth is not a good option going forward. While the health effects of specific mold species will vary, much depends on the individual person. Clearly, the very young and very old are more susceptible to the ill effects – and the same goes for those with compromised immune systems (all depending on exposure).
3. “Black mold” is quite dangerous
This is not always true – some “black” mold is just very dark in colour and is not Stachybotrys (the toxic mold associated with health issues). More than that, it’s only some mold species that produce toxins that are dangerous. Finally, a mold outbreak would have to be particularly severe for a person to inhale super-high does of “toxic” mold. That type of exposure would be infrequent.
4. Dead mold needs no removal
Even when mold has been “neutralized”, the contaminants and allergens inside the mold are still present. If a “dead” mold deposit is disturbed for any reason, the contaminants can easily become airborne and the resulting exposure can be an issue for home occupants. When professional mold remediation is expedited, an experienced technician will always recommend complete removal.
5. Bleach kills mold outbreaks
The effects of bleach on mold are not completely understood across the board – in other words, bleach might successfully kill a certain type of mold while being totally ineffective with another type. There is also the question of mold on a porous surface and mold on a nonporous surface. The bottom line is that bleach simply does not kill all types of molds on all kinds of surfaces.
6. Mold removal can be DIY
Minor deposits of household mold can certainly be cleaned and/or removed by hand. However, a widespread deposit requires the attention of a professional – there’s simply no reason to take a chance with any potential health impacts. The best approach with a serious mold outbreak is to undertake a professional mold inspection, followed by complete, comprehensive mold removal.
Mold Inspection and Mold Removal Offered by Four Seasons Insulation
Four Seasons Insulation offers homeowners throughout the GTA a comprehensive approach to mold remediation – right from a thorough inspection to complete removal. Find out more about our mold services by calling 416-727-4181 or visiting our website.
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