How Does Indoor Mold Grow?

Mold can be unsightly and even hazardous to your health. It seems to magically spring up out of nowhere. But when you understand how mold grows, you can learn how to avoid it.

At My Pure Environment, we specialize in mold inspection and remediation. We know how mold grows and where it grows. And we know how to remove mold from your home without damaging the integrity of your home or forcing you to temporarily live somewhere else.

How does mold grow?

The conditions under which mold grows are pretty simple. It can grow on wood, drywall, or cotton cloth, anywhere where moisture is present for 24 to 48 hours. Most commonly, it’s found in bathrooms, or under leaky kitchen sinks.

Mold needs seven key ingredients to grow effectively.

1. Spores

Spores are essentially the fungal equivalent of seeds. Spores are released when the mold starts to dry out, or when it detects a change in moisture. The spores are released into the air—when they land on other surfaces they can begin growing again.

2. Darkness

Sunshine is the strongest anti-mold tool. That’s why mold typically grows in darkness, where no UV light is present.

3. Warmth

Temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit make mold growth difficult. Freezing temperatures don’t kill mold, they just cause it to go dormant. Mold generally grows best at 70 - 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

4. Oxygen

Mold is a biological organism, and therefore requires oxygen to spread. It doesn’t require much oxygen, however, which means that it can grow inside walls, behind loose tiles, and under carpet.

5. Food

Mold feeds on fibrous building materials, such as wood, drywall, and cotton. In kitchen areas, leftover food residue in your sink can also be an ideal food source for black mold. While this isn’t as serious as mold growing on your walls, it can be a catalyst for the spread of mold throughout your home, if the conditions are right.

6. Time

Mold spores can begin to produce mold within 24 to 48 hours of adhering to a surface in your home. Clean and maintain damp spaces regularly to ensure that mold does not have enough time to take root.

7. Moisture

The single biggest deciding factor in whether or not mold will grow in your home is moisture. Damp areas like kitchens or bathrooms are common areas where mold grows. If you live near the ocean, or a large body of water, you may also have trouble with mold growth. Basements, which are often damp and dark, are ideal habitats for mold growth.

Mold inspection and remediation in Spokane

At My Pure Environment, we know a thing or two about mold removal. Our patented two-step remediation process penetrates deep into places where mold spores can settle, and eradicates them on contact. Then, we treat the surfaces of your home to ensure that the mold stays gone for up to 90 days. Contact us to schedule your onsite air consultation today.

Photo by Pete Linforth via Pixabay