April 13, 2009

Mold Basics

          Outdoors, molds play an important part in nature by breaking down dead organic matter such as fallen leaves and dead trees.  However when found indoors, mold growth brings on frenzies of hurried cleaning, general overuse of bleach and frantic calls to places like the NDSU Extension Service and Lake Region District Health Unit for info on what to do

          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, but none of them will grow without water or moisture.

          Molds are disliked for lots of reasons – their odor, their yucky appearance and their potential to cause health problems.  Molds produce allergens (substances that can cause allergic reactions), irritants, and in some cases, potentially toxic substances (mycotoxins).  Allergic responses include hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash (dermatitis).  Molds can also cause asthma attacks in people with asthma who are allergic to mold. In addition, mold exposure can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs of both mold-allergic and non-allergic people. 

          Despite our best cleaning efforts, it is impossible to completely eliminate all mold and mold spores indoors.   Some mold spores will always be found floating through the air and in house dust.   As mold spores will not grow if moisture is not present indoor mold growth can be prevented or controlled by controlling moisture indoors.  If there is mold growth in your home, you must both clean up the mold and fix the water problem.  If you clean up the mold, but don't fix the water problem, then, most likely, the mold problem will return.

          Places that are often or always damp can be hard to maintain completely free of mold.  If there's some mold in the shower or elsewhere in the bathroom that seems to reappear, increasing ventilation (running a fan or opening a window) and cleaning more frequently will usually prevent mold from recurring.       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.
          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.

          When dealing with mold, avoid breathing in mold or mold spores or getting mold/spores in your eyes. .  At the very least wear a paper mask and goggles and consider wearing a full-face respirator.  Wear long gloves that extend to the middle of the forearm.  When working with water and a mild detergent, ordinary household rubber gloves may be used.  If you are using a disinfectant such as chlorine bleach, or a strong cleaning solution, you should select gloves made from natural rubber, neoprene, or polyurethane

          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.

          Ways to stop mold from starting include: 

          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 

          If you see condensation or moisture collecting on windows, walls or pipes immediately dry the wet surface and reduce the moisture/water source. 

          Vent appliances that produce moisture, such as clothes dryers, stoves, and kerosene heaters to the outside where possible.  

          Use air conditioners and/or de-humidifiers when needed.

          Run the bathroom fan or open the window when showering.  Use exhaust fans or open windows whenever cooking, running the dishwasher or washing dishes etc.

          You may suspect hidden mold if a building smells moldy, but you cannot see the source, or if you know there has been water damage and residents are reporting health problems. Mold may be hidden in places such as the back side of dry wall, wallpaper, or paneling, the top side of ceiling tiles, the underside of carpets and pads, etc. Other possible locations of hidden mold include areas inside walls around pipes (with leaking or condensing pipes), the surface of walls behind furniture (where condensation forms), inside ductwork, and in roof materials above ceiling tiles (due to roof leaks or insufficient insulation). Be wary when searching for hidden mold; wear a mask, gloves and/or long sleeves and consider calling in an expert who is skilled in dealing with large concentrations of mold.