Growth of mold in bathrooms is very common if there is no proper ventilation. Mold in bathrooms could be due to poor ventilation and high humidity in the bathroom. The mold could be found growing on the walls and also the bathroom ceiling. Severe growth of mold in bathrooms can also occur in drains which emit odors. Drains are a hot spot for fungal growth in bathrooms. The extent of fungal contamination in bathrooms is dependent on the amount of moisture present. Predominant types of … [Read more...]
Mold Growth, Moisture, and Your Home
August 30, 2011 by
Moisture is one of the key requirements for mold growth in homes. There are different types of mold. Some molds require relatively very low levels of available moisture for them to grow. These types of mold are referred to as xerophilic and are likely to be found in almost every home. The common xerophilic fungi belong to the genera Aspergillus, Penicillium and Wallemia. Some other molds require wet or highly damp prolonged conditions. These are referred to as hydrophilic ("water loving") … [Read more...]
Wood Rot Fungi
November 10, 2008 by
What are wood rot fungi? Wood is one of the major components of building materials in residential and office buildings. In fact it's almost impossible to miss a wooden item in a building. It is subject to attack by wood rot fungi and other organisms if it's not well preserved. Growth Requirements for wood rot fungi For fungi to colonize wood, the following conditions are required: Favourable temperatures. Generally wood colonizing fungi have optimal growth temperature at aound 25 … [Read more...]
Biodeterioration
November 2, 2008 by
Biodeterioration is a terminology used to describe any undesirable change in the properties of a material caused by the vital activities of organisms. Fungal growth requires suitable temperature, moisture and air (oxygen). Fungi are heterotrophs that acquire nutrients by absorption. They secrete hydrolytic enzymes (exoenzymes) and acids to decompose complex molecules into simpler ones that can be absorbed and used as nutrients. Hence, they are believed to be potential contributors … [Read more...]
Common Molds In Historic Buildings
September 7, 2008 by
Old, dusty and damp historic buildings provide perfect conditions for mold growth. In such buildings mold will be found growing on wall surfaces, the ceiling and on interior decorations. Before any restoration work, it's important to conduct a microbiological investigation to document the types of microorganisms present and their quantities. Some of the common molds in historic buildings include: Aspergillus niger Aspergillus flavus Aureobasidium pullulans Chaetomium … [Read more...]
