Mold in the home is a time-sensitive issue. Not all mold is toxic and not everything that looks like it actually turns out to be mold. However, once the conditions exist to trigger mold spores into the active mode—such as water damage in the house—the clock is ticking. Active mold growth will begin in as little as 24 hours, From that point on, remediating the situation becomes more complex as time passes.
Dormant mold spores are inert and generally have no effect on your home or occupants. However, when spores shift from dormant to active due to exposure to moisture and the right temperature, the outlook changes substantially. Active mold in the home releases millions of airborne reproductive spores, spreading contamination far and wide into your indoor environment. Depending on the type of mold, these reproductive spores can be both allergenic and toxic to susceptible individuals.
Take Action Sooner—Not Later
Here are some reasons why proactive techniques should be applied ASAP when water damage or other events create a favorable condition for mold growth.
- Since mold spores exist almost everywhere, any event that includes water intrusion such as a ruptured plumbing pipe or inundation from outdoor flooding can activate dormant spores on contact. Therefore, the likelihood of mold contamination should be assumed and not delayed until active growth is advanced to the point where it can actually be visually observed.
- The relatively short interim between exposure to moisture and the conversion of dormant mold spores into active reproductive mode is an important window of opportunity. When professional water damage recovery techniques along with mold remediation methods are applied in that time frame, spread of reproductive spores is minimized and toxic mold contamination is less likely to gain a foothold in your house. The multiple long-term impacts of mold contamination are also prevented.
- Air sampling and inspection by a mold remediation specialist can quickly rule in—or rule out—the presence of mold spores or active growth and guide effective treatment methods.
For more information on preventing mold in the home, contact the remediation professionals at Rytech, Inc.
