Mold has seeds called spores. Spores are 1/10th the width of a human hair.
Spores are released when the fuzzy molds are disturbed.

Mold needs water and cellulose to grow, once they get started, they don’t need much water to continue growing. Mold uses enzymes to break down cellulose into usable food for itself. Mold multiplies faster than rabbits. The only real control is to remove the source of moisture.

10% bleach solution will kill mold, but does not kill mold spores. Spores can withstand up to 500° temperatures, and survive freezing because they encapsulate themselves.

The smell of mold is from aldehyde, an organic compound released during oxidation.

Sources of moisture for mold growth;
Leaking pipes, leaking sinks, HVAC ducts, drains and refrigerant lines, leaking windows, doors, walls EIFS, floods. Can pass through outlet cover plates, walls and attics. Mold begins 24 – 48 hours after the onset of moisture

To successfully remove the mold you must contain all mold spores, protect workers with space suits and HEPA (high energy particulate air) filters originally designed to filter radioactive particulate matter from the air. Moisture source must be removed, the mold growth must be removed, and the contamination (spores) must be removed.

Mold spores are more easily absorbed through the skin than through respiration.

Why mold problems now? We spent 25% of our time indoors in the 50’s. Now we spend about 92% of our time indoors, that’s where the mold is.

The problem with molds is that they release mycotoxins which are toxic to people. The mycotoxins are released by the mold spores to kill anything that might compete with the mold for food supplies. These mycotoxins can remain stable for weeks.

Mold toxins effect immune system, central nervous system and cause headaches, tremors, mod swings, aching, numbness, cognitive difficulty, coughing, wheezing, gastrointestinal problems, respiratory problems, short term memory loss, shortness of breath, abdominal pain, sore throat, hair loss, behavioral problems and skin diseases. They can cause cancer of the kidney, esophagus, and blood (leukemia).

Treatment. Discover which systems are affected and damaged, and treat them, not the symptoms.


Kevin Smith
Forward Assist Inspections
(713)858-1330
Texas Real Estate License #3234