One challenge of being Santa Barbara’s elite mold removal specialist is how limited the information ecosystem exploring mold is. The internet is rampant with misinformation about mold, and nobody seems to agree on the most critical questions. Does bleach kill mold? Is mold dangerous? Can I get rid of mold myself?
As a part of our mission to make your life better by restoring the health of your home and the other spaces you occupy, I’ve put together a list of the five most common myths I hear about mold and what I’ve discovered to be the truth that busts them!
1. Myth: If I don’t see mold, I don’t have a mold problem
Fact: Mold doesn’t need to be visible to affect your health! Unseen mold is especially problematic for those who are sensitive to mold and suffer from mold-related illnesses or allergies. Mold spores exist everywhere, floating in wait for a source of moisture to which to anchor. Once it does, it grows, and then you have visible mold.
Preventing water intrusions like leaks and floods is critical to avoiding visible mold, but your space could still be saturated with mold spores just waiting to take root. For that reason, a good mold inspector will perform tests on your air and surfaces even where they can’t see mold!
So what should you do? I suggest you seek air purification solutions that help keep your space’s total mold load as low as possible!
2. Myth: I can get rid of mold myself
Fact: There is no shortage of handyman blogs proudly offering DIY solutions to your mold problem, but all I have seen among them are suggestions to help eliminate visible mold.
There are ways you can get rid of visible mold yourself, but doing so is like putting a Band-Aid on a wound that needs stitches! If you need to eliminate mold in your home, I highly recommend seeking guidance from a mold removal specialist who can reduce your total mold load to safe levels!
3. Myth: Bleach kills mold
Fact: Bleach is NOT an effective solution in remediating your home from a mold infestation.
Unfortunately, most surfaces in buildings are porous. Materials like drywall, wood, and various types of natural stone can absorb moisture, allowing mold to take root deep within them. While bleach may seem like a solution, it won’t penetrate the surface to eliminate the mold hidden underneath, leading you to mistakenly believe the problem is solved when it’s merely masked.
It’s important to recognize that what you see is just a small part of the issue. The primary cause of mold is typically moisture issues in the home, such as water damage, leaks, or flooding, where mold spores in the air attach and grow. Simply cleaning the visible mold with bleach will not address the underlying cause, and the mold is likely to return.
I understand the desire to avoid hiring a contractor if you feel you can handle it yourself. However, when it comes to mold, the issue is likely more complex than it appears. It’s best to work with a professional to ensure the problem is properly addressed.
4. Myth: Mold isn’t harmful to humans
Truth: Mold can be very hazardous to human health. As I’ve touched on quite a bit, the problem is that this is very difficult to prove. Many studies suggest that mold is harmful to humans, but they can’t claim causation. I’m not going to get into it here, but you can read more about how mold affects human health here.
5. Myth: I’ve noticed mold but feel fine – it must not affect me!
Truth: You may not have an acute health reaction to mold, but that doesn’t mean you are unaffected by it! Many studies reveal that prolonged exposure to mold can lead to serious health effects.
Don’t rest on your laurels if you know you have mold but don’t feel sick! I recommend you call a qualified mold remediation specialist for a mold inspection as soon as possible.
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