Mold Basics
The key to mold control is moisture control.
If mold is a problem in your home, you should clean up the mold promptly and fix the water problem.
It is important to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24-48 hours
to prevent mold growth. If painting, use paint with fungicide added.
Why is mold growing in my home?
Molds are part of the
natural environment. Outdoors, molds play a part in nature by
breaking down dead organic matter such as fallen leaves and dead trees,
but indoors, mold growth should be avoided. Molds reproduce by
means of tiny spores; the spores are invisible to the naked eye and
float through outdoor and indoor air. Mold may begin growing
indoors when mold spores land on surfaces that are wet. There are
many types of mold, and none of them will grow without water or
moisture.
Who Should Do the Cleanup?
Who should do the cleanup
depends on a number of factors. One consideration is the size of
the mold problem. If the moldy area is less than about 10 square
feet (less than roughly a 3 ft. by 3 ft. patch), in most cases, you can
handle the job yourself, following the guidelines below. However:
If there has been a lot of
water damage, and/or mold growth covers more than 10 square feet,
consult the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guide: Mold
Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings. Although focused
on schools and commercial buildings, this document is applicable to
other building types. It is available free by calling the EPA
Indoor Air Quality Information Clearinghouse.
If you choose to hire a
contractor (or other professional service provider) to do the cleanup,
make sure the contractor has experience cleaning up mold. Check
references and ask the contractor to follow the recommendations in
EPA's Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings, the
guidelines of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial
Hygienists (ACGIH), or other guidelines from professional or government
organizations.
If you suspect that the
heating/ventilation/air conditioning (HVAC) system may be contaminated
with mold (it is part of an identified moisture problem, for instance,
or there is mold near the intake to the system), consult EPA's guide
Should You Have the Air Ducts in Your Home Cleaned? Before taking
further action. Do not run the HVAC system if you know or suspect that
it is contaminated with mold - it could spread mold throughout the
building.
If the water and/or mold
damage was caused by sewage or other contaminated water, then call in a
professional who has experience cleaning and fixing buildings damaged
by contaminated water.
If you have health concerns, consult a health professional before starting cleanup.
Moisture and Mold Prevention and Control Tips
Moisture control is the key
to mold control, so when water leaks or spills occur indoors - ACT
QUICKLY. If wet or damp materials or areas are dried 24-48 hours
after a leak or spill happens, in most cases mold will not grow.
Clean and repair roof gutters regularly.
- Make sure the ground slopes away from the building foundation, so that water does not enter or collect around the foundation.
- Keep air conditioning drip pans clean and the drain lines unobstructed and flowing properly.
- Keep
indoor humidity low. If possible, keep indoor humidity below 60
percent (ideally between 30 and 50 percent) relative
humidity. Relative humidity can be measured with a moisture or
humidity meter, a small, inexpensive ($10-$50) instrument available at
many hardware stores.
- If you
see condensation or moisture collecting on windows, walls or pipes ACT
QUICKLY to dry the wet surface and reduce the moisture/water
source. Condensation can be a sign of high humidity.
Tips and techniques
The tips and techniques
presented in this section will help you clean up your mold
problem. Professional cleaners or remediators may use methods not
covered in this publication. Please note that mold may cause
staining and cosmetic damage. It may not be possible to clean an
item so that its original appearance is restored.
- Fix plumbing leaks and other water problems as soon as possible. Dry all items completely.
- Scrub mold off hard surfaces with detergent and water, and dry completely.
- Absorbent or porous materials, such as ceiling
tiles and carpet, may have to be thrown away if they become
moldy. Mold can grow on or fill in the empty spaces and crevices
of porous materials, so the mold may be difficult or impossible to
remove completely.
Avoid exposing yourself or others to mold.
Do not paint or caulk moldy surfaces. Clean up the mold and dry
the surfaces before painting. Paint applied over moldy surfaces is
likely to peel.
If you are unsure about how
to clean an item, or if the item is expensive or of sentimental value,
you may wish to consult a specialist. Specialists in furniture
repair, restoration, painting, art restoration and conservation, carpet
and rug cleaning, water damage, and fire or water restoration are
commonly listed in phone books. Be sure to ask for and check
references. Look for specialists who are affiliated with
professional organizations.
