A lot of households in the United States are currently facing a number of problems in their homes, one of which that really stands out is of course, the thing we know today as mold. They may appear anywhere in your home; in your fruit bowl, the bread in your fridge, the cupboards above and beneath the sink, the walls of your basement and under your bathtub. These are pretty much an eyesore to most people and they thrive even in the harshest of environments. The damage they are able to do to the human body and the structures in which they reside may range from minor up to the extreme, which all depends on the circumstances. With that said however, what exactly is mold and what is it capable of doing? Well, keep on reading to find out.
What exactly is it?
There are over a hundred thousand types of mold, all of which are fungi. They are characterized by the growth of multicellular hyphae (which are like spores and hairs) which gives them a fuzzy appearance and texture, especially if they have managed to horrendously spread on wood or on food. They cause the decomposition of plant-based biodegradable materials which explains why they are mostly found on wood, fruits and paper (such as those posted on the walls). They may be instrumental in the discovery of penicillin, but they are an awful nuisance to have in your homes right now.
What are its ideal living conditions?
Mold thrives anywhere with moisture; this is why homes that are nestled in states and areas that rain frequently are pretty much vulnerable to it. The fungus only takes about 24-48 hours in order to latch itself onto any damp surface. Its favorites are those areas that are dark, constantly wet and not exposed to sunlight. For example, if your roof is leaking a lot, and if you did not go over and cleaned the area for quite some time now, then it may be infested with mold by now. Another example are the areas that are surrounding the pipes in your bathroom and kitchen. You have to be sure that they are not leaking, because if they are, then you will face a mold problem in the long run, since leaky pipes set the stage for mold to grow and thrive. You may also want to check your basement, especially if your area floods a lot.
What is it capable of?
Wood that is rotten or left damp and untreated (without finishes or garnishing) will have a higher chance of mold infestation. With that said, the fungus is capable of wide scale structural and furniture damage, because as stated in the previous paragraphs, it decomposes dead plant material. In the case of wood used for furniture and construction, once it is not well-taken care of or poorly maintained, it will become less durable. Vast amounts of mold are capable of making person feel nauseous and will pave the way for allergic reactions like irritated skin and stuffy nose.
There are over a hundred thousand types of mold, all of which are fungi. They are characterized by the growth of multicellular hyphae (which are like spores and hairs) which gives them a fuzzy appearance and texture, especially if they have managed to horrendously spread on wood or on food. They cause the decomposition of plant-based biodegradable materials which explains why they are mostly found on wood, fruits and paper (such as those posted on the walls). They may be instrumental in the discovery of penicillin, but they are an awful nuisance to have in your homes right now.
What are its ideal living conditions?
Mold thrives anywhere with moisture; this is why homes that are nestled in states and areas that rain frequently are pretty much vulnerable to it. The fungus only takes about 24-48 hours in order to latch itself onto any damp surface. Its favorites are those areas that are dark, constantly wet and not exposed to sunlight. For example, if your roof is leaking a lot, and if you did not go over and cleaned the area for quite some time now, then it may be infested with mold by now. Another example are the areas that are surrounding the pipes in your bathroom and kitchen. You have to be sure that they are not leaking, because if they are, then you will face a mold problem in the long run, since leaky pipes set the stage for mold to grow and thrive. You may also want to check your basement, especially if your area floods a lot.
What is it capable of?
Wood that is rotten or left damp and untreated (without finishes or garnishing) will have a higher chance of mold infestation. With that said, the fungus is capable of wide scale structural and furniture damage, because as stated in the previous paragraphs, it decomposes dead plant material. In the case of wood used for furniture and construction, once it is not well-taken care of or poorly maintained, it will become less durable. Vast amounts of mold are capable of making person feel nauseous and will pave the way for allergic reactions like irritated skin and stuffy nose.