Mold FAQs from the Pennsylvania residential mold remediation specialists, Eco Tech

Most people have heard about the potential dangers of mold, but they still don’t know that much about this substance. So here, we’d like to present answers to questions frequently asked of professionals who perform residential mold remediation services.

Q. What actually is mold?
A. Mold is a fungus, just like ringworm, yeast and mushrooms. It is a living organism capable of growing and spreading inside or outside a home or business.

Q. I have a home. Can you tell me the most likely place mold could be growing?
A. Mold can grow anywhere, but it’s commonly found in leaky attics, basements and bathrooms. Residential mold remediation technicians usually discover mold in any area that is damp and poorly ventilated. (See below.)

Q. What causes mold to grow?
A. Mold thrives in damp, humid, wet areas where there is minimum air flow. A wet couch cushion in a basement, a stack of old newspapers in a leaky attic – these are two examples of circumstances in which you can virtually guarantee a mold problem.

Q. In what ways can people be exposed to mold?
A. Three primary ways: by touching, inhaling or ingesting it.

Q. How can my health be affected by mold?
A. Exposure to mold, depending on the amount and the person’s sensitivity, can cause a host of upper respiratory symptoms. In people with asthma, mold can trigger an attack. People who have lung disorders can have serious worsening of their conditions. Some researchers believe there is a link between mold exposure and certain cancers.

Q. Is it always necessary to hire residential mold remediation services if a home has mold in it?
A. Before we would attempt to remove mold, we would perform a thorough mold inspection in the home to learn the extent of the contamination. Our recommendation would be based upon the results of the inspection.

Q. Can I prevent mold?
A. To a large degree, yes. Keep prone areas (as discussed above) as well ventilated as possible, and inspect regularly for leaks in plumbing pipes, roofs, hot water heaters, clothes washers, refrigerators and any other water source. Kill small areas of mold with mold killers you can purchase.

We hope these answers have been helpful to you. If you’ve never had a mold inspection in your home, it’s a good idea to arrange for one, because mold can exist without your being aware of it. Call Eco Tech, the residential mold remediation and inspection experts, at 833-277-3100 or contact us through our website.