MIDWEST BASEMENTY BLOG - 4 Factors of Mold Growth and Which One You Need to be Worried About.
Mold growth requires four main factors to be present to flourish. Unfortunately 3 of the 4 are highly prevalent in homes and especially basements and craw spaces.
1. Spores, or the seeds of mold are the first factor of mold growth. Unfortunately you cannot prevent spores from entering your home. They are everywhere. You are breathing them now. They are microscopic and impossible to eliminate from a home.
2. Organic Materials are the food mold feeds off of in your home. So just eliminate the organic materials in your home right? Sorry, that is not possible. Almost all home building materials are made of organic materials (wood, paper, cardboard, insulation). Although we do offer patented inorganic basement products that will not allow mold growth, the majority of homes and basements are built from organic food for mold.
3. Temperatures of 32° to 100° F are also required for mold growth to occur. Unfortunately these are also the temperature in which we like to live. Unless you are willing to keep your home below 32° or above 100° F at all times, temperature control is not an option to prevent mold.
SO WHAT CAN YOU DO TO PREVENT IT?
4. WATER & HUMIDITY CONTROL are the key to preventing mold in your home and keeping your family healthy. The key is identifying the source of the water and humidity in your home and then finding a solution to that issue.
It is highly recommended you have a professional come and help you with your mold issues. Improper cleanup or preventative maintenance of mold growth can often times compound the problem. For instance, cleaning with bleach(people's favorite DIY solution) leaves behind a residue that is a breeding ground for even more mold.
The only way to completely get rid of mold is to properly prevent an environment where mold can grow or if you already have mold to remove the moldy materials and then create an environment where mold can't grow. Inorganic basement products, SaniDry Dehumidifiers, as well as products like vapor barriers and other wall products are great ways to create this type of environment.