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Mold growth problems can adversely affect many homeowners.
The following information will help protect
your investment in your home and may prevent the possibility of health risks due
to mold exposure.
What Are Molds?
Molds are microscopic organisms commonly found both indoors and outdoors.
Molds, along with mushrooms and yeast, are known scientifically as fungi. Their
purpose in nature is to break down dead material and recycle nutrients in the
environment. For molds to grow and reproduce, they need a food source - any
organic material, such as leaves, wood, paper, or dirt - and moisture. Since
molds grow by "eating" the organic material, they gradually destroy
whatever they are feeding on. Mold growth on surfaces can often be seen as a
colored spot, frequently green, gray, brown, black or white. It commonly appears
as a powdery, fuzzy, or hair-like material. Actively growing molds typically
produce odors, sometimes described as earthy or moldy, or like mildew, old dirty
socks, or ammonia. Molds release thousands of microscopic spores, which are
lightweight, easily airborne and carried by air currents to surrounding areas.
The spores must have both food and moisture to actually start growing, similar
to plant seeds.
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It is common to find mold spores in the air inside homes, and on most
surfaces including clothes, walls, and furniture. Most of the time mold spores
found indoors come from outdoor sources. Routine cleaning of your home and
furnishings helps keep these levels low. Cleaning small areas of visible mold,
such as mold that may occur around your shower, is necessary to prevent
unsanitary conditions.
The level of concern greatly increases when there are large amounts of active
mold growth in your home. Large-scale mold problems are most likely to occur
when there has been an on-going water leak, a flood, or very high levels of
humidity in the home. Indoor mold growth may cause very high levels of airborne
mold spores, which, in turn, may cause the spread of mold growth from the
original source to other areas of the home where high moisture levels exist.
Extensive mold growth can damage your home and belongings, such as carpets,
sofas and cabinets. In time, unchecked mold growth can cause damage to the
structural elements in your home. While there is no practical way to eliminate
all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment, keeping your home clean and
dry can prevent extensive mold growth and its related damage.
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The vast majority of people are exposed to small amounts of mold or their
spores on a daily basis without evident harm. However, mold growing inside a
home is an unsanitary condition that may present potential health risks to
occupants. Therefore, it is always best to identify and correct high moisture
conditions quickly before mold grows and possible health problems develop.
Potential health effects produced by molds may include allergic, irritating, or
toxigenic effects, and rarely, infection. Allergic reactions are generally the
most common health effect. Typical symptoms (alone or in combination) reported
by people living in moldy homes include:
- respiratory problems, such as wheezing, difficulty breathing, and
shortness of breath
- sneezing and/or nasal congestion
- eye irritation (itching, burning, watery, or reddened eyes)
- coughing or throat irritation
- skin rashes or irritation
- headaches
- fatigue
The potential health effects depend on the amounts and types of mold present,
the length and frequency of exposure, and the sensitivity and health condition
of exposed individuals. While many people seldom experience ill effects from
mold exposures, some may develop very serious illnesses. Some persons exposed to
mold or mold spores may become sensitized and develop allergies to the mold or
other health problems. Even "dead" mold (including spores and pieces
of mold) may still cause allergy, irritation, or toxigenic reactions. Thus,
killing mold without removing the residue may still be a health concern.
Complete removal and thorough cleanup of mold is the safest solution.
Individuals at greater risk who may experience more severe symptoms or become
ill more rapidly than others include:
- individuals with existing respiratory conditions, such as allergies,
asthma, or chemical sensitivities
- individuals with weakened immune systems due to conditions such as HIV
infection or cancer treatment
- infants and young children
- the elderly
Anyone with a health problem they believe may be due to mold exposure should
consult a medical professional.
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Since you cannot remove all food sources for molds, it is important as a
homeowner to take sensible precautions to prevent moisture from creating a
breeding ground for mold.
- Maintain levels of humidity below 60% (preferably between 30% and 50%) by
- venting bathrooms, dryers and other moisture-generating sources to the
outside
- avoiding blockage of air conditioning vents
- using air conditioners and de-humidifiers
- increasing ventilation by installing additional crawlspace and attic
vents, opening windows or installing an air-to-air heat exchanger
- using exhaust fans when cooking, dishwashing and cleaning
- avoiding the use of unvented heaters or high heat in confined areas
- setting the air conditioning thermostat to "auto" to prevent
circulation of humid air.
- Add insulation to reduce the potential for condensation on cold surfaces
(windows, piping, exterior walls, roof or floors).
- Consider using moisture sensors that sound an audible alarm when a leak
occurs.
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Inspect your home regularly for the indications and sources of indoor
moisture. Establish a maintenance schedule to check the following sources of
water leaks on a regular basis. Contact a maintenance or service company with
any questions or concerns.
- Hot Water Heaters - Over time, these appliances may rust or develop
cracks, and the resulting leaks can be very costly. Check your water heater
for rust and deterioration every year. Check the drain pan for water and
ensure that the drain line for the overflow pan is not clogged. Drain and
clean the water heater as recommended by the manufacturer.
- A/C Drain Lines - Damage can occur when the line that drains
condensation from the evaporator coils becomes clogged and water overflows
from the drip pan. To prevent this, periodically check the drip pan for
water and consider an annual inspection or service call to reduce the
buildup of algae and mold in the drain line.
- Appliance Hoses - Broken hoses are among the most common causes of
water damage. Regularly inspect hoses and hose fittings on washing machines,
icemakers and dishwashers for kinks, cracks, bulges or evidence of
deterioration. Replace standard rubber washing machine hoses every two to
five years, or more frequently if they are showing signs of wear. Consider
using steel-reinforced hoses for longer life.
- Showers, Tubs, Sinks and Toilets - Water that leaks from around
bathtubs, showers, sinks and toilets can cause extensive damage because the
leak is often hidden from view. To prevent leaks, make sure you have a
continuous watertight seal of caulk around the edges of sinks, toilets, tubs
and shower stalls. Cracks or mold on the caulk or on the grout at tiles on
walls or shower floors may indicate that you do not have a watertight seal.
Remove all caulk or grout, clean and dry the surface thoroughly, and apply
fresh caulk. Do not apply new caulk or grout on top of the old materials.
- Visible Piping - Routinely check piping under cabinets and sinks
for leaks, rust and evidence of deterioration.
- Waste/Garbage Disposal System - Routinely check for cracking or
other sources of leaks in the waste disposal system.
- Caulking around Windows, Doors, Penetrations and Cracks - Windows
and doors should have a continuous bead of caulk sealing them to the
exterior surface of the home. Penetrations of the exterior walls by pipes,
electrical conduit, phone or cable lines, and exhaust ducts should also be
caulked. Cracks or mold on the caulk may indicate that you do not have a
watertight seal. Remove all caulk, clean and dry the surface thoroughly, and
apply fresh caulk. Do not apply new caulk on top of the old caulk.
- Attic and Ceilings - Routinely check for wet insulation and water
stains.
- Wallpaper - Routinely check for bubbling and/or peeling, as well as
pink or black stains.
- Roofs - Keep roofs free of debris that can damage roofing material
and allow water to seep in. Trim tree branches to prevent them from rubbing
and damaging the roof. Promptly repair missing or damaged shingles. Properly
seal any cracks around chimneys, skylights and vents. Check metal flashing
for holes, cracks or other damage. Replace flashing or use silicon caulk to
seal any openings.
- Landscape - Yards should slope away from the house to prevent
puddling near the foundation or under pier and beam houses.
- Sprinklers and Irrigation Systems - Do not allow sprinklers or
sprinkler heads to soak the exterior of the home.
- Check for evidence of water stains or odors, particularly after rains,
on areas that could get wet.
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- Water Valve - Make sure everyone in the household knows where the
main valve is located and how to turn the water off.
- Rain Gutters and Downspouts - Direct rainwater away from your home.
Keep gutters clear and make sure downspouts are long enough to effectively
carry water away from your foundation. Gutters that are filled with leaves
and other debris allow water to back up on the roof, which can result in
water damage to eaves and roofing material.
- Insulate Pipes and Outside Faucets - Minimize the potential for
water damage from frozen, broken pipes by insulating supply lines (in attic,
crawlspaces and exterior walls), protecting exposed outdoor faucets, sealing
gaps in exterior walls and maintaining adequate heat in your home.
- Sump Pump - The sump pump is the first line of defense in
preventing water seepage into basements. Periodically check the sump and
remove any debris that could clog the pump. Consider installing a
battery-powered backup to protect your basement during power outages.
- Don’t block weep holes - Weep holes are openings at the
foundation level of a brick wall that allow moisture to escape from behind
the wall. Do not close or block these openings.
- Monitor Utility Bills - An abnormally high water bill could signal
a water leak.
- Before You Travel - Turn the water off at the main valve or at
major appliances. While you are away, consider leaving a house key and
contact information with a neighbor or trusted friend and ask the person to
check the inside and outside of your home periodically while you are away.
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- Purchase paint with EPA-approved mold inhibitors.
- Clean bathrooms often with mold killing products and keep surfaces dry.
- Do not carpet bathrooms, basements, kitchens or other areas prone to
collect moisture.
- Repair damages that could lead to water intrusion promptly and properly.
- Ensure that the home has adequate ventilation, including exhaust fans in
the kitchen and bathrooms.
Whether or not the water damage may be covered by your insurance policy, it
is important to act quickly to prevent further damage to your home.
- Immediately stop the source of leak or flooding.
- Remove excess water with mops or a wet vacuum. If the damage is
significant, consider contacting a water extraction company for immediate
action.
- Whenever possible, move wet items to a secure, dry and well-ventilated
area or outside to expedite drying.
- Protect repairable and undamaged items from further damage.
- Move rugs and pull up areas of wet carpet as soon as possible.
- Increase circulation in and around wet areas by opening closet and cabinet
doors, moving furniture away from walls and running fans.
- If necessary, remove wallboard and flooring materials to dry out those
areas.
- Don’t throw away removed or damaged materials until instructed by your
insurance company.
- Dry any damp or wet building materials and furnishings within 24-48 hours.
- Keep all receipts, photos and other relevant documents.
- Contact your insurance company, if applicable.
NOTE: The sooner the affected areas dry out and the source of the leak
is repaired, the better your chances of minimizing damage to your property. If
the water cannot be removed and the area dried promptly and efficiently,
consider contacting a water extraction company for immediate action.
- Unexplained discoloration on any surface
- Musty odor
- Dark spots on or around vents
- Water stains anywhere
- Peeling or curling of vinyl floors or wallpaper
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Topics covered in this article include; mold, home air filters,mold growth, air
conditioning, indoor air quality, fungi
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