12 Frequently Asked Questions About Mold
Published by: Donna KshirPublished on: 2010-01-10 15:26:13
1. What is mold?
Mold is a tiny microscopic organism that digests organic matter and reproduces by releasing spores. Mold is a form of fungi that is naturally found in the environment, and there are over 100,000 known species.
Mold is found in the soil, and on decaying and dead matters. In nature, mold plays an important role, especially in the breakdown of wood, leaves and plant debris. Mold comes in a large variety of colors; black, green, white, orange and brown. Mold can also take on several appearances, deferring between fuzzy and slimy. There is usually an earthy or musty odor that centers around or on moldy areas.
Mold usually becomes a problem when it digests materials such as our homes.
2. What causes mold to grow inside your home?
Like a plant produces seeds, mold enters your home as tiny spores in order to reproduce. Inside your home, mold spores are air born as they spread throughout your home and settle on surfaces. In order for the mold spores to grow, digest and destroy they require moisture and a good food source. When mold spores land on a damp or wet spot, they quickly begin to grow and multiply.
Good food sources for mold are wood, cloth and insulation, but mold can grow on ceiling tiles, wallpaper, wallboard, paint, carpet, sheetrock and on almost any given surface.
Moisture or water is the main factor that limits mold growth. On a wet or damp surface or on materials that have not been properly cleaned and dried, mold can appear with a 24 to 48 hour time period.
Mold tends to multiply and grow rapidly where there is a lot of moisture from a leaky roof, leaky pipe, areas with high humidity, or following a flood. There is no sure way to dispose of all mold spores or mold from your home, but you can control and maintain proper mold growth by keeping your home dry and clean.
3. Is there anyway to prevent mold from growing in my home?
Yes! There are several steps and procedures to prevent mold from growing in your home. Although it is almost impossible to eliminate mold completely. Here are a few tips to get you started.
* It is best to keep the humidity level in your home below 60%; ideal levels are 30% and 50%.
* It is also a good idea to use exhaust fans while cooking and bathing.
* Keep your bathroom dry and well ventilated. Always be sure your fan vents lead to the outdoors.
* Always use proper ventilation and dehumidify attics, basements and other crawl spaces.
* Keep a watch eye out for condensation and wet spots.
* Always dry, clean and remove anything from your home that has been damaged by water within 24 to 48 hours. This will stop the mold from growing and multiplying throughout your home.
4. Can I be exposed to mold?
The answer is quite simple. Yes, you can be exposed to mold. People are exposed to molds every day, usually by touching exposed surfaces or by breathing in air that contains mold spores. Because molds exist naturally indoors and outdoors, living in a mold free environment is almost impossible.
As mold is exposed and grows, mold spores are released into the air which makes it easy for you to inhale them. People who tend to inhale large numbers of mold spores get sick.
You can also be exposed by touching moldy items or surfaces and by accidental hand to mouth contact.
Health concerns are always a risk. It is very important to prevent mold growth in indoor environments.
5. When does mold create a problem?
It is rather easy to determine if you have issues with mold. One can usually smell a musty or earthy odor in your home or you can see black or white speckles and spots on your bathroom or basement walls.
Mold is usually found in damp, wet areas. Mold usually surfaces around leaky or broken pipes, following a flood and where water has damaged furniture or building materials.
Other mold can remain hidden as it grows behind or on wall coverings or in ceiling tiles. Mold is also found growing on walls when warm moist air condenses on cooler wall surfaces. This usually occurs inside cold exterior walls or to articles that are stored against walls, such as closets, dressers, mirrors, nightstands and headboards.
Mold often grows in bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms and basements, due to high water usage and humidity. If you notice the growth of mold or know of an area of your home with recent water damage, take action immediately. This will limit mold growth in your home.
Although mold multiplies from damp or wet areas, even a dry, clean house will contain some mold spores, but usually not enough to cause health issues.
6. Should I sample for mold?
There is no need to sample for mold, as in most cases you can smell or see mold. If you can smell a foul odor or moldy scent, mold may be hidden in the walls, behind coverings, in the ceiling or under your carpet. If you are concerned or suspect you have hidden issues with mold be extremely careful when you investigate the contaminated area. Always take precaution and protect yourself from exposure.
7. How can I control the growth of mold in my home?
First and foremost, dry out your house. Repair any moisture problems that may lead to or create mold.
* Repair all water leaks from your plumbing to your roof. Prevent water or moisture from entering your basement walls and try to keep the concrete floor in your basement dry. This will help prevent mold from entering your home.
* Increase the air flow into your home by opening windows and doors. If there are no available windows to open, use a fan. It will circulate the air. This step will also help prevent mold from entering your home.
* Allow warm air to flow throughout your home. Move larger objects away from the inside of exterior walls, this will allow and increase air circulation.
* Install exhaust fans in your kitchen, bathroom and laundry room.
* Always provide proper ventilation and insulate your attic and other crawl spaces. In crawl spaces, it is a good idea to use heavy plastic to cover earth floors.
* Always clean and dry water damaged clothing, bedding, carpets and upholstered furniture within 24 to 48 hours after the water damage occurs. It is also a good idea to consider removing and replacing all of your damaged furnishings.
* Clean and vacuum your home regularly, this helps to reduce the number of mold spores in your home.
* Check your windows often for signs of condensation. If you find condensation or wet droplets, wipe them clean. This will help prevent mold growth in your indoor living space.
8. Can mold affect my health?
Most molds do not harm healthy people, but research has shown some molds can be dangerous and cause health conditions. Certain molds tend to produce allergens, irritants and toxins that may cause harmful reactions in people.
The size and type of reaction one has to mold depends on how much one has been exposed, your age and your allergies and/or sensitivities. The same amount of mold may cause health effects in one person, but not in another person.
Exposure to mold can cause a variety of symptoms. Sensitive people who have had exposure to mold may experience skin rash, eye irritation, running nose, nasal congestion, and cough, aggravation of asthma or difficulty breathing.
Molds can also trigger asthma attacks, cause wheezing, tightness in your chest and shortness of breath. One may also develop pneumonia after exposure to mold, but this is usually uncommon and only happens in extreme cases.
What most people don't realize is mold can cause other health problems which would never be considered or linked to a mold problem. Symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, severe memory impairment and chronic fatigue can all come from exposure to mold.
Mold can also cause infectious diseases in people with a weakened immune system. There are some molds known to cause infections in immune-compromised people. These infections can affect your eyes, skin, lungs and other bodily organs. These infections are considered opportunistic and do not usually affect healthy people.
The most common and most deadly mold is “Stachybotrys Chartarum.” It is most commonly found in damp places, such as your bathroom. If you think about how much time you spend in the bathroom on a daily basis, you may begin to understand what health problems can and may develop with constant exposure.
Take precaution and protect your health and your home, mold is and can be a serious and dangerous issue.
9. Is there a test to determine if I have been exposed to mold?
Yes! Some physicians and healthcare specialists recommend testing for mold-specific antibodies. The presence of antibodies indicates if you have been exposed to mold. Although there is no way to determine when you were exposed, where you were exposed or how long you have been exposed.
The result of a positive test for mold-specific antibodies is usually considered insufficient to prove health effects that are reported by individuals in moisture or damaged buildings caused by exposure to mold.
10. Are there tests available to determine if I am allergic to mold?
Your family physician or healthcare specialist can determine what medical tests are required to determine if you are allergic to a mold or other substances. These tests can be performed on skin or through your blood stream. Research has shown skin tests are more reliable than blood tests, when determining if one has an allergic reaction to a substance.
Skin tests can be performed rather quickly and tend to be less expensive. If you have experienced signs or symptoms year-round, it may indicate an indoor allergy and it is likely skin testing would be recommended.
11. I have been exposed to mold, should I seek medical treatment?
For individuals who know they have been exposed to mold and have visible signs or symptoms that persist should consult their family physician or healthcare specialist for testing and possible treatment.
12. How do I properly clean and remove mold from my home?
If you can see or smell mold take precaution immediately. Mold can damage your home and affect your health as it continues to spread and grow.
Step One:
Determine the size of the moldy area. Decide if you have a small problem with mold or a large problem. A small area is less than ten square feet, or a three feet by three feet patch..
To effectively clean the area, determine if you have a large area of mold damage, more then ten square feet. If so, it is best to hire a cleaning professional. If the moldy area is hidden or has been contaminated by sewage it is highly recommended to hire a cleaning professional who can properly clean and treat the contaminated area. To find a cleaning professional in your local area, check in the Yellow Pages under "Fire and Water Damage Restoration."
Step Two:
If you decide to tackle the job yourself, always wear proper protection, such as gloves, goggles and masks to provide proper breathing protection while cleaning the mold contaminated area. For large consolidated areas of mold growth, and for your own health and safety wear an Occupational Safety and Health Administration approved particle mask.
Step Three:
It is best to seal off the mold contaminated areas from the rest of your home. Be sure to cover heating registers and ventilation ducts. It is also a good idea to open a window before you start any clean up procedure.
Step Four:
For safety, remove all your furnishings to a mold-free area of your home.
Step Five:
It is best to bag all moldy materials and seal them in a trash bag securely. Place the bags outdoors immediately.
Step Six:
Scrub all hard surfaces with a mild detergent, such as laundry detergent and warm water. Allow appropriate time to dry..
After the newly cleaned area has had appropriate time to dry, wipe a mixed solution of one cup of bleach to a quart of warm water. Allow time to dry and repeat the process several times.
Apply a borate-based detergent and do not rinse. This step will help prevent mold from growing again. A good borate-based laundry or dish washer detergent has the word "borate" listed on the ingredients label.
Never paint or caulk on or over a moldy surface to conceal the problem. The mold will continue to grow under the paint and eventually peel. This will only add to the mold problem in your home.
Step Seven:
After properly cleaning all hard surfaces, vacuum the floor and wash all exposed clothing and bedding.
Step Eight:
Although your home has been properly cleaned and disinfected, it is best to monitor your home to be sure the mold has not returned to the recently cleaned area. If mold does re-occur, it is best to contact a cleaning professional or repeat steps one through seven.
If you rent your home and you believe you have issues with mold, contact your landlord immediately. As a renter you also have the right to know if the home you are renting has had issues with mold.
In early 2005, the Washington State legislature approved Engrossed Senate Bill that requires all landlords must notify their tenants about mold issues that has occurred in the property they are trying to rent to potential renters.
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