Mold is a fungus. Some molds are visible, in various colors–black, white, green, gray and will likely give off a musty smell. Mold is nature’s recycler. It is everywhere because it has an important purpose in our eco-system: to breakdown and eat dead organic matter. 

Mold needs certain conditions to grow. Mold needs a food source of dead organic material like wood, paper, carpet, etc. The ideal temperature of 41 degrees fahrenheit up to 100 degrees fahrenheit. Lastly, it needs moisture. Without moisture, mold will not grow.

Why is Mold a Problem?

Aside from the structural and health concerns (asthma and chronic sinusitis for example) that mold poses, the other major concern is that mold is often out of sight and difficult to see. 

Common reasons and areas of the home that mold can be found include:

●      Around leaking pipes, windows, or roofs. Water provides mold spores the moisture they need to grow.

●      Areas of the home that have flooded and were not dried properly.

●      Common with new construction is the practice of tightly sealing the building, which can trap moisture leading to mold growth.

●     Poorly ventilated homes that does not enable outside air to circulate in the home.

Some other clues that there could be mold in the home include the following:

●      Water stains on the walls and ceilings.

●      Musty odors in areas of the home like the bathroom, kitchen, laundry room, and attic, anywhere leaky pipes are commonly found.

●     Standing water in any cabinets (under the sinks)

If you need assistance in determining if you have mold in your home or place of business, call ProRestore Services at (407) 710-8787 and we will happy to assist you!

Mold Damage on Household Items

Most types of household items including clothing are very susceptible to mold growth as porous materials provide the perfect place for the organism to thrive on.

ProRestore Services Can Help You Determine Which Items are Salvageable

Mold in the house is something every homeowner in the Central Florida fears. Mold problems usually mean there is water or moisture coming into your home from somewhere. Therefore, your first priority should be to address the source. Whether it’s a hole in the roof or a leaky window frame, when correcting the problem it is important to remove any mold that has managed to grow on any surface. This includes furniture, walls, linens and clothing.

Mold damage on your favorite clothing, pillows or luggage can be upsetting. One of the main ways mold may develop on porous items is if they have been in storage for too long. Perhaps you stored your clothing, pillows or luggage where there is a hidden moisture problem, or you accidentally tossed wet clothes into a storage bag before they dried completely. 

Clothes made from natural fibers like silk, wool, rayon, jute, ramie, linen, and cotton are more susceptible to mold damage than those made with synthetic fibers. ProRestore Services offers mold remediation services. Our technicians can help you sort out those that are salvageable with mold remediation techniques. When mold develops on clothes or other items, it produces enzymes that break down the protein or cellulose to compounds, which the mold uses for food.

What Signs Should You Look For?

Often, the initial sign of mold damage on household items is a distinct musty smell in the closet. After careful examination, ProRestore Services technicians can detect stains with visible mold growth or visible pigmentation. Mold on household items can appear in the form of spores, which are easy to clean up using simple mold control techniques.

In case of severe mold damage, it is best to disposed of the item. Even then, such household items should be handled with caution because certain species of mold may spread and cause health effects. If you need assistance with mold damage on household items call our ProRestore Services office at (407) 710-8787 and we will happy to assist you!

Top Reasons You Should Have a Mold Inspection Done Prior to Buying a Home in Florida

It’s that time of year when the real estate market begins heating up in Central Florida. Many homes built since the 1970s are showing signs of mold growth. Since the 70’s homebuilders were encouraged to build airtight energy efficient homes, meaning less outdoor air entering into the home. This trend to energy efficiency has led to homes having mold problems because mold uses water and moisture to thrive and these airtight environments trap moisture in helping the mold to live.

These homes indoor air quality has suffered because of mold growth. This has led to higher incidences of mold related illness and reduced home values because mold feeds on the home, impacting its structural integrity.

The major problem with mold is that it can be hidden. You could have mold in your home and not even know that you have it. Unfortunately the only clue you have mold is family members may be getting sick more often. The problem with hidden mold is the mold spores are not visible and because of modern day HVAC systems, the air borne spores will continue to be circulated in your home, thereby spreading the spores in every room of your home.

If you are selling your home and know that you have mold, had past water leaks that have been fixed and/or experienced a major water event like a flood or sewage backup, you should disclose this information to the Realtor listing your home to avoid potential litigation. 

In a perfect world, the home seller will disclose this information, but let’s face it, we are not living in a perfect world. When a home seller wants to sell their home, their main objective is to list the property and get the highest price for their home. This is the reason they get the help of a Realtor. 

The only way homebuyers can protect themselves is to take matters into their own hands and make sure that the home they are buying does not have mold or moisture concerns that could lead to mold. Most homebuyers rely on the expertise of their home inspector, but home inspectors are not experts in mold. 

Be particularly careful if you are looking at purchasing a foreclosed home. These homes are susceptible to mold growth because cost saving measures by the banks usually means they will shut down the air conditioning system, which is a major concern because it results in high humidity levels and ultimately mold growth.

Recently renovated homes are another concern because improperly trained contractors or the home seller could have found mold, but not addressed it properly.

As a home seller or buyer, you need to be aware of the potential concerns caused by mold. Consult your Real Estate Agent and ask for a mold consultation. If you need assistance or recommendations, call ProRestore Services at (407) 710-8787 and we will happy to assist you!