Despite the prevalence of mold in many properties, there are common misconceptions regarding its nature. For that reason, we’ve created this blog to highlight the 5 common ones and clarify the facts:
1. ‘Mold Only Grows in Dirty Homes’
Fact: Mold can grow in any home, no matter how clean it is, as long as there are organic materials in the home, including wood, paper, drywall, dust, pet dander, and more. Spores of mold are everywhere, and all they need is moisture and a good place to grow. That said, if you take proper care of leaks, prevent elevated humidity, and have good airflow, you can prevent most mold growth.
2. ‘All Molds Are Equally Dangerous’
Fact: Not all molds are dangerous (hello, cheese! [Penicillium candidum]), and the many mold types that are dangerous aren’t equally dangerous. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t quickly remove mold from your home, but it does mean that some molds, like black mold, are far worse than others. While some molds produce mycotoxins that are harmful, most molds are not too dangerous if treated right away. However, mold that isn’t poisonous can still be bad for your health, especially if you have allergies, asthma, or a weakened immune system. No matter what type of mold that is growing and present, it needs to be taken care of right away.
3. ‘Bleach Kills Mold’
Fact: Bleach kills single mold spores that it can reach before its active ingredient (sodium hypochlorite), but is a terrible way to treat mold growth on most surfaces and in most cases. A lot of people think that bleach can get rid of mold, but it doesn’t work on all surfaces or on all types of mold. Bleach can get rid of mold on the surface, but it can’t get into weaker materials like wood or drywall, where mold roots can keep growing. And in those materials, applying bleach is basically like watering a garden, since the chemicals in it evaporate so easily, leaving only water behind to seep into the drywall and help mold grow even more.
4. ‘Painting Over Mold Solves It’
Fact: Painting over mold covers it up briefly, but does nothing to solve it. Even mold-inhibiting paints are extremely limited in their effectiveness, and should never be applied directly to a moldy surface. Painting over mold is only a short-term cosmetic fix that doesn’t get rid of the problem itself. Under the paint, mold will keep growing and will eventually show back up again and do more damage. Before painting, the mold must be taken care of and the source of the moisture must be fixed. Don’t accidentally affect the health of your home and family with the “landlord special.” It may look nice and white after painting, but the mold is still there!
5. ‘You Can Always See Mold’
Fact: Mold spores vary in size from 2-100 microns, and the vast majority are invisible to the naked human eye. Most serious mold problems are also hidden—behind cabinets, walls, baseboards, and under carpeting or flooring, but they off-gas mycotoxins and other harmful (allergenic or toxigenic) fumes during ordinary movements in a home (moving furniture, walking, opening drawers, hanging picture frames, and the house “breathing” as it is built to. Mold can’t always be seen. It can grow in places that are hard to see, like behind walls, under floors, and in pipes. Mold is usually hidden by musty smells, allergic responses, and signs of water damage. Regular moisture checks and fixes can discover and halt hidden mold development.
