There are millions, if not billions of types of mould. Some types are human friendly (think edible mushrooms & blue cheese), others can cause serious medical issues. Today, we’re talking about the serious medical issue causing mould: where it grows, why it grows and how to stop it.
Mould is a microorganism of the fungi family. Under the right conditions, it is capable of reproducing quickly via spores. This means that damage to health and property can also happen quickly.
What creates the right conditions for mould growth?
Mould requires 2 things to grow: water and organic material. Water damage can occur through flooding, pipe bursts, poor drainage around your building, roof leaks, and condensation. The organic material it requires can be drywall, wood, ceiling tiles, fabric, or even dirt particles. Once a mould spore finds food, it can take as little as 48 hours to become a big health and property problem.
Just think of what happens to your windows if you leave the condensation too long before wiping it up. The windows get that black stuff around them and/or in the tracks. That’s mould. The spores grab on to any dust, dirt or caulk around the window and grow, grow, grow!
Mould can look like circular spotting, raised stained areas (looks like bubbled paint), or powdery deposits on the surface. The trouble is that mould may be growing behind walls, under flooring or in ceilings, so you may not know you have a problem until your health is affected.
Here are some samples of what mould could look like.
If you can’t see the mould, you may notice some of these health issues that it can cause:
- Respiratory issues such as asthma, allergy flare ups, coughs and wheezing
- Flu-like symptoms
- Headaches
- Unexplainable fatigue
No matter the extent of water present, here are a few things you can do to mitigate the damage once you have determined the area is safe to enter (e.g. no electrical or structural hazards):
- Stop the flow of water if you can:
- turn off the water or clamp the leak
- divert the water away from your building (if the water is coming from outside)
- call a plumber or other relevant professional if you can’t determine the source
- Call a professional to assist you with cleanup and assessment.
- Mop up all visible surface water.
- Increase ventilation in the area to quicken the drying process.
- Remove any wet contents from the area.
Remember, mould can become hazardous in as little as 48 hours so you will have to move quickly. No matter how handy you are, this is one hazard you probably DO want to hand over to the professionals. Be sure they know how to protect themselves as they make your space safe again.