Identify, Remediate, & Prevent Purple Mold
Mold can come in a variety of different textures and colors. Purple mold is just one variety of toxic mold that can be found in your property. The existence of purple mold is not always easy to find as this type of mold often grows on walls and unexposed wood. It is not uncommon to discover it under wallpaper or hiding behind walls.
This type of mold is not only toxic for your health, and can also cause some serious damage to your property if not immediately discovered and properly treated. Today we will discuss how you can identify, remediate and prevent the occurrence of purple mold in your property.
Dangers of Mold
Exposure to mold will affect people differently. Some may develop and experience severe allergies. Sneezing, coughing, running nose, itchy watery eyes are just a few symptoms of an allergic reaction. Others may experience difficulty breathing, chest tightness and other respiratory conditions.
Mold is a very common allergen that is known to worsen chronic problems. Even the smallest amount of mold present can cause allergies to flare up.
The existence of mold in your home is especially dangerous for small children whose immune and respiratory systems are not yet as developed as an adult’s. Mold on wood in your home can also be harmful to pets as they are also susceptible to allergic reactions and could get quite ill if they were able to ingest the mold.
Causes of Purple Mold on Walls and on Wood
Like most types of mold, purple mold grows and thrives in damp, dark areas in your home. The walls in your kitchen, bathroom and basement are especially susceptible to mold growth as these areas of the home are commonly exposed to moisture. Mold grows and spreads very rapidly if it is exposed to the perfect conditions.
Areas of your home, such as your bathroom, that are commonly full of moisture from the shower or tub and most susceptible to mold growth. Without proper ventilation to the outside, moisture from your shower will cling to the walls and wallpaper making the perfect breeding ground for mold.
Once mold starts to grow, it is very easily reproduced and spread through dispersion of its spores. Mold spores are dispersed through the air, water and on us and our pets. Mold spores are tiny; too small to be detected by the naked human eye, making it difficult to know when and where it is spreading.
When mold attaches onto wood, it will begin to grow and prosper within 24-48 hours. They often feed off of the glue that holds your wallpaper to the walls, making wallpapered walls even more attractive to mold spores.
How to Identify Purple Mold
We recommend that if you suspect that there may be mold in your property that you contact a professional mold remediation specialist right away. However, there are some steps you can take on your own to identify this mold.
The first and most prominent way to identify the existence of purple mold on walls in your property is by smell. Mold typically has a musty or earthy smell that is often described as smelling like rotting leaves. If you discover any mold on your walls, there is a good chance your can also discover purple mold on the wood in your home.
If you notice spots on your walls that are wet, discolored or warped, this is a good place to start your mold investigation. Mold needs wet, dark areas with access to food in order to thrive. Your walls and wood in your home provide the perfect environment for mold to flourish.
If you have wallpaper covering your walls, you may notice some spots are discolored or are starting to peel away from the wall, this could indicate that mold is present. You can also purchase mold test kits from most retailers that you help you to identify mold in your property.
How to Prevent the Mold From Expanding
If you discover mold on wood or walls in your home, it is important that you take the necessary steps to prevent the mold infestation from spreading further. In order to prevent mold from spreading, you will need to address the reasons why the mold was able to develop there in the first place.
Did you notice the purple mold on walls in your bathroom? This indicates that there is too much moisture in your bathroom that is not being properly ventilated, leaving it to cling to walls and wallpaper. Your first step will be to dry the room out by opening windows, turning on vent fans to the outside and using a HEPA filter.
You will want to ensure that your home is dry and properly ventilated as that will be your best defense against the growth and spreading of mold .There are several products on the market that you can purchase that can help you to remove mold on wood and walls in your home such as sprays designed to target and kill mold. The problem with using these types of products as your sole mold removal method is that they do not ensure that the problem is completely eradicated and may leave mold spores behind that can continue to be spread through the air.
Why Hire a Professional Mold Removal Expert?
If you have mold in your home or if you are not sure if you but are experiencing symptoms of mold exposure, a professional mold removal expert will be able to properly diagnose and fix the issue. Most mold removal experts offer free, no obligation quotes for their service, take advantage!
If any mold is found in your home, they will be able to remove all of it in the safest, most effective manner. Professional mold remediation teams are equipped with all of the proper equipment and expertise to properly remove all instances of mold from your home. When hiring a professional mold removal expert, safety is the number one consideration. Since mold can be toxic and is harmful to you, your family and pets, it is important that every safety precaution is taken to ensure mold spores are not allowed to spread. Professional mold removal specialists will use HEPA filters and seal off the affected areas of the home while removing the mold.
Cost of Mold Removal
The cost to remove purple mold from walls in your property will vary greatly depending on where the mold is located, how much the mold has spread, and the cost to repair any damages. If caught early, you can get away with spending only a few hundred dollars to have your mold problem professionally eradicated. However, if mold has been left to grow and spread undetected for long periods of time, there is likely a lot of damage to your wood or walls that will need to be removed and replaced. The cost to remove mold in your home can end up costing you thousands.
The most important thing you can do to avoid paying hundreds or thousands in mold removal costs is to take the steps to ensure that you are not producing a breeding ground for mold. This means making sure the humidity in your home is not excessive. There are humidity detectors you can buy to help you to monitor the humidity in your home.
Making sure that the mold prone areas of your home (bathroom, kitchen, and basement) are properly ventilated with vent fans and windows. Always use your bathrooms vent fan or have a window open when showering or bathing.
There are also a lot of products on the market that can be used to help prevent mold from growing in your homes such as sprays or coatings that can be applied directly to your walls or sheetrock to provide a protective barrier against mold. You can also buy special paint, sheetrock and wallpaper that have been developed to be mold resistant.
If you have mold on your walls, call a professional mold removal specialist right away-don’t delay! Your home and the safety of you and your family depends on it.