For most of us, the word “mold” carries a very negative connotation and is something to avoid at all costs. Mold is often a very unwelcome guest in our homes or businesses and rightfully so, as mold can produce significant health problems for people with allergies, weakened immune systems or people who have just been over-exposed to mold spores. Mold can also cause a significant amount of damage to property and can be difficult to remove if left unchecked. So if mold is so bad; why don’t we attempt to eradicate it? What purpose does it serve?
Many people do not realize that despite mold’s bad reputation as portrayed in today’s media, mold is an important, everyday part of our environment and serves a critical function in the ecosystem of the Earth. Mold (a species of fungi) is natures’ recycling agent and the primary way organic material (dead plants, animals and insects) are recycled by Mother Nature. Without mold, we would have an over abundance of organic waste with no real way to decompose or dispose of it. There is no question that without mold, our ecosystem would be in serious jeopardy and our environment would be overcrowded with dead plants, animals, and insects.
So which is it? Is mold a good thing or a bad thing? The answer is both. Mold is a problem when it invades areas that it should not be found in like inside the bathroom wall cavity, or inside an attic space. When mold starts to encroach upon the indoor environments we live and breathe in, we must take proactive steps to address that mold and ensure it is properly remediated and removed from those places.
Mold requires two things to be active; water and a food source so when you suspect a mold problem may exist in your home or business, it’s best to search areas where water intrusion or condensation may occur and organic material can be found (drywall paper, wood, etc.).
Mold in its natural environment is a good thing and something not to be feared. But it should be respected when it encroaches upon our lives. With the proper understanding and guidance by professionals, mold is something that can be easily dealt with.
For more information on mold or questions about specific mold problems, please don’t hesitate to contact us at ServiceMaster Restore in Meridian (208) 344-5511
