Mold spores can be present without the appearance of visible mold. It requires moisture to survive, so it is often found in areas with water damage or excessive humidity. To the unaided eye, mold has a variety of appearances: fuzzy, velvety, wet, dry, powdery, and so on. It can appear as black stains or patches of white, yellow, green, brown, black, gray, or even pink.

Mold spores can essentially be found in all homes and offices, and grow rapidly from excess moisture. Mold generally grows in dark and damp places like behind walls, where pipes have leaked or in basements and attics. These are places where mold seems to be lurking:

Basements and crawl spaces are one of the most common areas for mold to grow. It is important for basements to have at least one dehumidifier. Set the unit to the 50% mark, and it will remove excess moisture from the air. The units shut off automatically to adjust to the humidity setting. Be sure to check and empty the drain pan periodically. Running a line from the drain pan on the dehumidifier to a sump pump crock is another option for drainage. Finished basements with drywall are also subject to mold damage. Framing should be built approximately six inches from your exterior wall and the frame of the finished wall. If the carpet, pad or drywall gets wet, it must be dried within 48 to 72 hours. If not properly dried and treated within that time frame, the risk of bacteria and mold growth increases substantially.

Older homes are not the only ones affected by mold. New builds frequently come equipped with their own mold issues. Moldy building materials are received from the builder’s supplier, and these moldy materials can pass through quality control checks and built into the structure. The inventory of materials is usually left on outside ground, with no plastic sheeting to protect it from the elements (i.e. snow, rain, etc.). Some crews neglect to cover the structure under construction at the end of each day, again exposing wood and materials to rain. Roof and side walls should be protected by plastic barrier until roof, siding, windows, and doors are totally installed.

Builders may fail to inspect and test the home during and at the home’s completion for presence of mold. New builds also use modern materials such as chip wafer board, drywall and plywood, all of which are favorite “foods” for mold

Mold can destroy whatever it grows on, and can take hold in as little as 24-48 hours when food, moisture, and the right temperature are present. Mold colonization depends on type, and can occur in 1 – 12 days. It is essential to act immediately to resolve since spores surround us and are carried from place to place by air currents and ventilation equipment.

Molds can be found everywhere, naturally. The spores can enter your home or office through open doorways, windows, and HVAC systems. The following conditions are necessary for mold growth to occur on surfaces:

Mold growth does NOT require presence of standing water; it can occur when high relative humidity or the tendency to absorb and retain moisture of building surfaces allow sufficient moisture to accumulate. Water dripping unknowingly in a wall or unoccupied unit can cause major damage to contents and structure. Even if the source of moisture has been fixed, it does not mean mold growth has stopped. It can survive for a long time without moisture. The mold will go into a dormant state, essentially “going to sleep.” Nutrients that mold feeds from include wet cellulose materials (paper/paper products), sheetrock, adhesives, cardboard, ceiling tiles, wood/wood products, and other fibrous materials. Other items that support mold growth are dust, paints, wallpaper, carpet, fabric, and upholstery.