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 here at
www.epa.gov/mold/mold_remediation.html.
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. Call (800) 438-4318 for a free copy.
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.
