Some Facts About Mold

6/20/2019 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO of West Knoxville/Farragut for your mold removal and mold remediation needs.

If you own property in Knoxville, TN, one of the many things you need to look out for is mold. Unchecked mold growth can lead to thousands of dollars' worth of damage to your building and unhealthy conditions for workers or tenants. Below, we'll look at what mold is, how to prevent it, and if detected, how to get rid of it.

What Mold Is, and Where It Comes From

Mold is a fungus that is found everywhere, propagating through spores that are blown around through the air. Mold growth only becomes a problem in buildings with areas of high humidity, or where there's been water damage. Mold enters a structure in a number of ways, including:

• Doorways
• Vents
• HVAC Systems
• Windows
• Attached to:
o Pets
o Clothes
o Shoes and Boots
o Bags

There are thousands of types of mold. Common ones include Aspergillus, found in food and AC systems, Alternaria, commonly found in sinks and showers, and Stachybotrys chartarum, otherwise known as black mold.

How to Prevent It

To prevent mold from becoming a problem in your building, eliminate any sources of excess moisture. Try to bring down humidity with a dehumidifier or air conditioner. A building with good ventilation also is much less likely to have a mold problem. Vents should always lead to the outside. Also, make sure that your roofing and plumbing are inspected regularly. Hidden leaks in walls or ceilings can cause big problems with mold.

Professional Help
If you detect mold in your building, a mold remediation company should be consulted. They can identify the types of mold present and take the appropriate steps to eradicate the problem safely and completely. They can remove the sources of moisture, then dehumidify, clean and disinfect using specialized techniques and equipment.

Hopefully, your building hasn't been affected by mold growth, and by using the information outlined above, you can keep it mold-free. But if you do detect mold, a quick call to a professional can get the problem under control and have your property back to normal in no time.

Call SERVPRO of West Knoxville/Farragut for your mold removal and mold remediation needs in Knoxville, TN today!