…..Can be seen and felt by many in the Low Country!  Mold is a type of fungus that works to break down organic material and return nutrients to the environment.  Mold needs moisture and a food source to grow and we have plenty of both.  An excellent food source for mold is any carbon-based (and particularly any cellulose, or wood- based) substance. In today’s structures, food sources for mold are readily available (sheetrock, wood wall studs, wood flooring or wood decking).  Moisture can be supplied through a variety of sources.  If you live in a home where your indoor humidity is higher than 50%, have leaky pipes or water seepage during rainstorms, roof leaks, or live in a house with poor ventilation trapping moisture indoors you may have an environment that encourages mold growth.

Common places you may find mold include bathroom tile, areas around windows where moisture condenses, near leaky sinks or tubs, in laundry rooms, on sheet rock in bathrooms or stairwells and in crawl spaces.

While some people have serious reactions to mold, the CDC (Center for Disease Control) states “It is not generally necessary to identify the species of mold if you are susceptible….You should arrange for its removal” You must also eliminate the source of moisture to ensure that your home or office is not an environment that is encouraging mold growth.

Some steps you can take are:

Install gutters and extend the downspouts out away from the foundation

Fix all plumbing and roof leaks as soon as they are discovered

Vent dryers to the exterior of the home

Be sure your AC system is properly sized and maintained – be sure to run the AC in the summer

Have a moisture control expert dry your home in the event of a water disaster

Install a dehumidifier in your crawl space and close up the crawl space vents

If you see mold – properly remediate or call Crawlspacesplus.com/Disaster Plus at 843.724.7247