Mold Sources & Types

Where Does Mold Come From?

Technically, mold spores are everywhere, but they need a certain type of environment, complete with organic material, oxygen, and moisture, to grow into visible colonies. Here are the basics on sources and types of mold commonly found in homes and businesses in Michigan.

Mold 101:

• There are More Than 10,000 Different Strains of Mold – most species are harmless, but, left unchecked, mold can cause extensive damage to your property.
• Mold Spores are Everywhere – there’s some type of mold inside your home right now.  The EPA states that most indoor air is more contaminated than outdoor air.
• Mold Requires Three Ingredients Grow – Oxygen, Moisture, and Organic Material.  Organic material is found everywhere - furniture, carpet, drywall, baseboards, subfloors, floor joists, insulation, and many other building materials.
• Controlling Moisture is Key - Since we can't rid our homes of oxygen and organic material, the one variable we can control is humidity.

Sources of Mold:

There are lots of different sources of excess water/moisture in a home or business that can lead to mold growth and development:

• Pipe Breaks
• Toilet Overflows
• Rainwater Seepage
• Sump Pump Failure
• Sewer Back-Ups
• Plumbing Disasters
• Water Heater Leaks
• Roof Leaks
• And more

Any source of water can be a potential source of mold, which is why quick water cleanup is crucial. Any untreated moisture or active water damage has the potential to grow mold in as little as 24 hours!

If you have mold growing in your home or business, contact Modernistic to assess the situation before the problem gets worse! Air quality testing will determine how much and what kind of mold you're dealing with which will inform the steps we need to take to remediate the issue.