Mold in your home: Is it really a big deal?

Heather Ainsley ECB Publishing, Inc. Mold is a natural part of our outdoor environment. In nature, mold is a fungus that breaks down dead organic matter such as leaves and other plant debris. It can be found anywhere where moisture and oxygen are present. Mold reproduces and spreads by means of little spores that are invisible to the naked eye, and sometimes those little spores get inside your home and take a rest on something damp. It could be a slow drip under your sink, or a closet wall that retains humidity. Mold isn't picky, and when that mold spore touches down on wet surfaces in your home, it takes hold, and you may end up with a mold problem before you ever notice a leak at all.