Mold in Construction

Mold does not discriminate against new or old construction

Mold will grow on various materials as long as both humidity and oxygen are present. It takes as little as 24 hours for mold to grow. Invisible mold can and will affect you especially over prolonged exposure. Mold is microscopic and I like to compare it to the iceburg in Titanic. If you visually see mold there is usually a much bigger problem to be addressed. Poor ventilation combined with moisture and restricted air flow gives mold the perfect and ideal environment to grow and thrive.

Mold will NOT always be visible

Mold can grow inside of your walls, underneath your carpets, in/on and under your appliances, in your HVAC system, under roofing, under your floorboards, in/on your furniture, under your sinks, in/on your plumbing and more. Mold is a survivor and does not need much at all to grow but takes A LOT to fully remove, remediate and move on from.

If proper precautions are overlooked when dealing with new construction, building materials can become contaminated and cause problems early on. It takes 24-48 hours for mold to grow. In 24 hours mold spores may become visible in wet and warm areas. In 14-21 days you may start to see visible mold spores on hard surfaces. In open areas you may see the mold spores in 30 days. Depending on the strain of mold these days and time frames may vary. The amount of moisture and humidity present will also affect this process.

When building materials are not covered properly to reduce the chances of water damage the age of the building is irrelevant. In my personal experience I have seen brand new homes, apartments and even hotels experience early mold damage. These builders decide to move forward with the building process foregoing the appropriate removal and remediation process due to deadlines. This practice causes countless people lifelong illness, suffering and the cost is far greater than just financial.

Mold authority is working diligently to bridge the gap that currently exists in this field. Working with professionals who understand the importance of environmental exposures, the insurance process, the remediation process and the true affects of mold is priceless. Working with a true professional who advocates for you can spare you a lifetime of mold illness challenges and a lot of money in the long run.

Written by: Alexandra DeLeon (@holisticallylexy)
Certified functional nutrition counselor and lifestyle mentor