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Before doing mold inspection and testing, Brooklyn residents should dispel these 7 myths

You see spots of black and gray on your wall. As you come nearer, you smell something like a rotten egg or a dirty wet shoe. So, you take a magnifier and zoom into the area. To your amazement, these spots look like a garden of tiny plants grouped together into regions.

As a responsible resident of Brooklyn, you call your local mold removal company. Their friendly staff said your house is already on their itinerary and a team will come the next working day to do mold inspection. It’s good to call for mold experts for help in keeping your house safe from these tiny organisms. While waiting for their arrival, however, you read a personal blog online. The writer claims she solved her mold problem in several steps without the help of a mold inspection and mold remediation company.

The author sounds convincing. She left you wondering if you should cancel your appointment. “Are their services worth it?” you ask yourself while staring at the mold removal hotline.

Mold inspection is the first stage of the mold removal process. Mold experts use different technology and equipment to identify the mold and what needs to stop its growth. But many residents in Brooklyn think twice about calling for mold removal services because of popular myths about mold. Here are 7 myths about mold and the truth behind them.

The 7 myths about mold you need to throw away

Myth 1. Mold is totally dangerous to humankind

This myth suggests that everything about mold is bad. While it is true that mold has harmful effects on health, it is untrue to say that mold has no benefits whatsoever. There are more than 100,000 species of mold known to humankind. Less than 500 of these species can cause diseases and allergies. But there are species that are very important for life on earth.

Molds and the cycle of life

We need mold to facilitate the cycle of life. They mainly aid in the process of decomposition. When something organic completes its lifespan, it has to return to the soil. Mold help that process by breaking down its particles into new nutrients for the earth to use.

Molds and our health

We also need mold to make medicines. The penicillium mold, for example, is grown in laboratories to produce penicillin. Penicillin is manufactured to make antibiotics.

Mold and our food

We also need mold to make our food better. There are varieties of mold useful to create cheese. Producing fermented food such as soy sauce and cured meat is possible because of mold.

In other words, mold is not totally dangerous. Dispel this myth at once. All you need to do is know what species of mold should not be anywhere near you and your family.

Myth 2. My house is free from molds

This is another myth about mold that needs to go. Because there are more than 100,000 kinds of mold, it is impossible to say that your home does not have any of these organisms. Of course, we’re not talking about helpful mold like those used in fermented food. What should concern you are harmful mold species like the Alternaria, Mucor, Stachybotrys, and Ulocladium.

Mold is everywhere

Mold is present almost everywhere. Your favorite plant inside the home has mold. The corners of your bathroom or the undersides of your sink have mold. If you’re using an HVAC system inside your house, it is also a breeding ground for mold.

Mold is in the air

Your house is not free from mold because its spores are in the air. How is this possible? Spores are the seeds of mold. These organisms release spores in the air for them to spread and multiply. This is why vulnerable people in humid environments easily develop respiratory problems. It’s all because they’re breathing mold every day and their immune systems are unable to fight it off.

In other words, dispel this myth because your house has mold.

Myth 3. It is easy to detect mold

In line with Myth#2, you need to dispel the myth that molds are easy to detect. Sure, it’s easy to spot mold growth on walls. The black and green maps that emerge during a humid season mean its infected by mold. The brownish green spots you see on the lower frame of your window are also signs of mold infection.

Mold is not always visible

Unfortunately, mold is not always visible to the naked eye. Its spores that too small that you need a special magnifying lens and precision equipment to see them. In short, your eyes are not capable of detecting the initial stages of mold growth. You need the help of a professional mold inspection team.

Myth 4. Small growth of mold is nothing to worry about

Another myth to dispel is that you can neglect that small growth of mold inside your house. It is true that mold thrives in humid environments and on surfaces frequently wet with water. So you think that mold will not affect the other parts of your house. Dispel this myth because mold can cover your entire house in a matter of days.

Mold can cover your house within 24 to 48 hours!

A study from the Federal Emergency Management Agency shows why you must stop small mold growth at once. Spores undergo a five-stage cycle:

Stage 1: The mature mold releases spores into the air. These microscopic particles are so light that they can easily ride the air and scatter around your house.
Stage 2: The spores land on any surface. This can be any surface, from organic food and wood products to drywalls, plants, HVAC insulation, and floor tiles.
Stage 3: The spores begin to germinate. At this stage, the spores take root on the surface and begin to grow.
Stage 4: The mold colonizes the surface. This is when mold grows and expands on the surface until a large area is infected. Without intervention, mold can destroy an entire house!
Stage 5: The final stage in this cycle is sporulation. The mold colony matures and starts releasing spores again to conquer new territory.

You need to deal with mold growth at once so it won’t rapidly spread around your house.

Myth 5. I can handle my mold problem using bleach

Many homeowners in Brooklyn agree that mold is dangerous to their house and to their health. But there is a prevailing myth about using basic home products to handle mold growth. The most popular among these products is bleach. No doubt, bleach can kill mold. But there are problems with using bleach.

Bleach cannot handle mold growth on porous materials

Bleach can deal with mold on hard surfaces like tiles, and metal. But bleach is ineffective when the mold colonizes on porous materials like wood, fabric, concrete, and grout. While it can deal with mold on the surface level, it cannot reach the spores embedded deep in the subsurface level.

Bleach contains water

Household-grade bleach is diluted in water to reduce its toxicity. This means when chlorine evaporates, it leaves behind water molecules that seep through the tiny holes of the porous material. Thus, once the chlorine is gone, the mold has enough moisture to germinate again.

Bleach can damage surfaces

It’s not good to use bleach often because of its corrosive properties. It can destroy the grout on your tiles and make them more vulnerable to water. It is also damaging on wood, leather, and other soft materials. Using bleach on metal is not advisable because it will create rust.

Bleach is a health hazard

Using bleach often is also harmful to your health. Prolonged exposure to bleach can cause respiratory illnesses and skin allergies.

Overall, bleach is not an effective tool against mold problems. Dispel this myth and ask your local mold remover what remedies are best for keeping mold at bay.

Myth 6. I can solve mold by repainting my house

There are brands in the market claiming to have mold-resistant primers and paint. But simply painting over mold will not solve the problem. Paint can only hide the dark spots caused by mold growth. It cannot kill the mold colony. What happens is mold continues to spread in the wall or concrete and eventually creates air packets that can cause the paint to bubble or crack, and peel off.

Dispel this myth. Of course, it’s good to repaint your house. But have it treated by professional mold removers first.

Myth 7. Mold remediation will solve the problem forever.

This is also a myth. Homeowners think their mold problem is gone once they had their house remediated already. A professional mold removal team can remove all existing traces of mold growth and address its causes. But this comfort will not last forever. Because spores can travel in the air, they will find places inside your house to germinate again.

Conclusion

Dispel these seven myths and deal with mold as early as you can. Always conduct a routine home inspection to address new leaks and drips in your house. Have it sealed regularly to reduce the impact of natural forces like rain or snow. Consult with our mold removal team for accurate mold inspection and testing.

Which of these seven myths do think is the most influential on you?

About the Company

Brooklyn Mold Removal is a company dedicated to providing quality service. We work with industrial hygienists and professional engineers to ensure that we deliver reliable, high-quality results to our clients. We understand that people need help with their environmental safety needs, so we prioritize assisting customers in making informed decisions about their situation.