Mold spores are everywhere. They are in every bit of air we breathe. Outside air will contain less concentrations of mold spores because the spores are not contained indoors. In our homes is where there's a problem. In the 1970's housing insulation technologies improved to save us money on our heating bills. But it also made a perfect environment for mold and mildew to grow. Black mold becomes a problem when it is allowed to grow unchecked.

Mold requires nutrients, water, oxygen and favorable temperatures to grow. These nutrients are present in dead organic materials such as wood, paper or fabrics; from wet construction materials including wood, concrete, drywall, carpet or wallpaper; and from some synthetic products such as paints and adhesives.

Mold requires several conditions to grow. It needs food, moisture, and the right temperature. Once these are met, spores may germinate after 12 hours and can start to grow within 24 to 48 hours. How quickly molds colonize depends on what kind of mold it is, but it can occur after 1 to 12 days. This is why it is essential to act immediately in the event of water damage.

Toxic mold is often found in damp, moist, or wet places in or around a house or building. Stachybotrys typically grows in damp environments on materials that are high in cellulose and low in nitrogen content. Examples include wallpaper, cardboard, ceiling tile, cellulose insulation, and wood. If the black mold is growing on materials that do not contain cellulose, it is probably not Stachybotrys.

Molds naturally grow indoors. Mold spores may also enter through open doorways, windows, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. Spores in the air outside also attach themselves to people and animals, making clothing, shoes, bags, and pets convenient vehicles for carrying mold indoors. When mold spores land on places where there is excessive moisture, such as where leak in roofs, pipes, walls, potted plants or where there has been flooding, mold will grow.

Rustbeeter™ is a food product and contains complex sugars. Thus, it is an ideal mold-growing environment. However, when properly mixed in a loose slurry, enough acid will be produced to prevent mold growth. If mold does occur, simply scrape it off. To prevent mold growth, find a more suitable location for storage and make sure the Rustbeeter™ solution is covered.

Molds thrive where they can find sources of water, food, and physical space. This includes areas that are moist from flooding, plumbing leaks, roof leaks, showers and bathtubs, refrigerator water pans, clothes dryers that are not vented to the outside, or water found in houseplants. Basements, attics and crawl spaces are common locations for mold to thrive.

Because these areas get little warm air circulation, they stay colder than their surroundings. These cold spots encourage moisture in the air to condense, and damp surfaces are more likely to encourage mold growth.

Mold is an unfortunate fact of life. If there's a spore, and the conditions are right, the spore will germinate, and you'll get mold. If tobacco is too wet, there's a greater risk of mold, but mold can even form on fairly dry substrates. Most commonly, mold develops when tobacco has dried out, been over-hydrated, and put in containers that are not clean. I've often read about using a little vinegar in the water used to rehydrate the tobacco, in order to retard mold. This is a myth.

No! All three of the basic elements – moisture, food and oxygen -- MUST be present to support mold growth. Food sources are plentiful. Typically, wood, fabric, wallpaper, carpet padding paper-faced panels and other similar building products contain sugars and starches, which can support mold growth. In any interior structure, food sources to support mold growth are plentiful. Likewise, it is impossible to eliminate the oxygen source.

Mold needs three things to grow: food, water and the right temperature. Unfortunately, mold thrives in the same temperature range that humans generally prefer (48°F to 70°F), and mold feasts on components of wallboard, carpets and other common household furnishings and construction materials. Thus, the only real way to control mold is to eliminate its water source.

No. It has an elevated airflow drying system that keeps mold and mildew from growing on your decking. No. There is no need to do that. KwikDek is prefinished with a natural finish and only needs a once a year application of Linseed, or other wood penetrating oil.