Everyone is exposed to indoor and outdoor mold daily, and most of the time, it’s not a big concern. When the temps are right, there’s a food source, (literally any building material) and moisture, mold is likely to develop on any surface in your home. Left untreated, it can cause a big problem. But, there are some myths about mold you may not be aware of and ones we will address in today’s blog.
Stay tuned to learn the five myths about mold.
Five Mold Myths
Before we get into the myths, make no mistake, mold can cause serious health issues if left unchecked. It can harm or destroy building materials it feeds on, so it’s important to get the facts straight about what to do about it.
Myth #1: You Must Test for Mold
This isn’t a must-do and is pretty much impossible since there are more than 10,000 types of mold! There are no health-based safety standards for mold levels, so you would waste valuable time and money while you could be removing it.
Myth #2: Black Mold is Deadly
Surprise! This popular myth needs to die. It’s not the color that dictates toxicity. Some types of mold can produce mycotoxins, given the right conditions. There’s not a consensus on which mold produces the poisonous substances, and the ones that do, can produce them but not always.
Myth #3: Only Bleach Kills Mold
Nope. Even though bleach does kill mold, it’s caustic on your lungs and doesn’t always do a thorough job of removing it. The safest way is to scrub with soap and water; it’s a more effective way to eliminate mold from hard surfaces. Now, if drywall or carpet gets moldy, you can’t clean it; you have to replace it. Bleach is only necessary if the moisture that caused the mold comes from sewage. A ¼ to ½ cup of bleach per gallon of water will eliminate mold from the area, but leave it on for 30 minutes before rinsing it off and then dry it thoroughly after.
Myth #4: No Odor Equals No Mold
This can be a dangerous myth. Just because you can’t smell if, doesn’t mean it’s not there. A professional inspection is best. Mold is likely present somewhere in your home if there are any roofing or plumbing leaks. Check your basement, crawl spaces, bathrooms, or sink cabinets for water spots.
Myth #5: Kill Mold with Products
Only a temporary fix, these product solutions only help, but shouldn’t be a permanent fix. Even if you kill the mold, it will return, unless and until you fix the underlying problem.
Need Help with Mold?
You won’t know definitively if you have a mold problem unless you get an inspection. Contact Black Diamond Restoration and fill out a form alerting us of your problem. We have trained, certified, and experienced experts who know what to look for and how to fix it right the first time. We serve Salt Lake City and surrounding areas.
