For more information about mold and other home health issues, go to the Lancaster County Extension Home Environment Web Page.
Contents
What is the difference between mold and mildew?
How can I tell if I have mold in my home?
Should I have my home tested for mold?
How can I tell whether the mold growing in my home is dangerous?
How can I correct a mold problem?
What are common moisture sources, leading to mold growth?
How can I clean up mold?
What are some ways to correct common moisture problems that can lead to mold growth?
What is the difference between mold and mildew?
Mildew is a type of mold. There are many types of mold, including those that grow on surfaces in the home, including walls, books, windowsills, bathroom tile grout, etc. It is more proper to just call them all by the term “mold.”
How can I tell if I have mold in my home?
Sometimes it is obvious. It comes in many different colors; black, white, orange, yellow, etc. It may be found on the surface of windowsills, walls, the grout between bathroom tiles, bathroom ceilings, etc.
Mold can also be detected by smell. Anytime you detect a musty odor when you walk into a basement, open an old book, etc., you are probably smelling mold.
Should I have my home tested for mold?
Normally, when residents have mold testing done, they find out what they already knew: they have mold. Spore count numbers are difficult to relate to health risks or anything else of a practical nature. And knowing what type of mold you have is not likely to be important. The bottom line is: if you have mold you need to clean it up and correct the situation that favored mold growth to begin with.
How can I tell whether the mold growing in my home is dangerous?
All mold is dangerous; some species perhaps more than others. Some people are more sensitive to mold spores than are others, just as some people are more sensitive to tobacco smoke, pet dander, etc., than are others.
It is impossible to tell by color alone, how dangerous the mold is.
How can I correct a mold problem?
First, identify the source of moisture that provided ideal conditions for mold to grow. Mold spores exist in the air all around us, and when moisture is present, along with a surface that provides a place for spores to multiply, a mold problem may develop rather quickly.
Secondly, clean up the mold, if possible, and correct the moisture source.
TOP
What are common moisture sources, leading to mold growth?
The moisture source may be water condensation on window panes, windowsills and cold walls during wintertime, especially in homes that lack energy efficient windows and have insufficient insulation in the walls. Warm air can hold more moisture than can cold air. As heated air comes in contact with cold surfaces, moisture condenses out of the air, onto those surfaces, similar to the formation of dew on the grass in early morning hours.
Bathrooms often have mold growth on ceiling and walls, especially in the absence of ventilation fans.
Roof leaks and flooding are typically followed by mold problems.
How can I clean up mold?
If you have asthma or sensitivity to mold, do not attempt cleanup. The person doing mold cleanup should wear an N95 rated particulate mask, not a cheap dust mask. Wear long sleeved shirt and long pants, along with protective gloves and goggles.
Damp cleanup is better than dry scraping or sanding, to minimize release of mold spores into the air. Scrub surfaces with a commercial mold cleaner or a household cleaner. You can finish by wiping down the surfaces with a dilute bleach solution to kill remaining spores, using one-fourth cup of bleach in a gallon of water. Be very careful to avoid splash into eyes and avoid contact with skin. Never use ammonia and bleach together or in the same cleaning job. Doing so may release dangerous chlorine gas.
Bleach and other disinfectants will not prevent the return of mold growth if the moisture problem is not corrected.
Often mold grows into drywall, wood and concrete blocks, especially when the surfaces are not sealed. Mold growing into building materials cannot be removed. The building materials may need to be replaced. Depending on the situation, you may be able to using a sealant on the surface of the building materials. However, the mold may grow back through it, especially if the moisture problem has not been corrected.
Discard old books that have visible mold or smell musty. If you have a few particularly valuable books that fit that description, seal them in plastic bags or plastic totes, after making sure they are dry. That way you can have the satisfaction of having the valuable books without having to smell them. You may want to air dry them outside first.
If stored clothing and bedding smells musty, clean it or discard it. Make sure it is dried thoroughly, then store in dry areas or in plastic totes.
What are some ways to correct common moisture problems that can lead to mold growth?
Prevent moisture condensation on cold surfaces:
- Place foam tube insulation around exposed cold water pipes, especially in basements.
- Install energy efficient windows.
- Insulate walls and ceiling so interior surfaces are not cold during winter.
- Install ceiling fans in bathrooms and use them when someone is bathing or showering. It is best to vent the fans to the outside.
- Limit the use of humidifiers and vaporizers. If moisture condenses on walls, it is a sign the units should be shut off.
Fix leaks:
- Fix leaking roofs.
- Fix leaking faucets.
Correct drainage problems:
- Correct the grade of the soil around the house, to make sure water drains away from the house.
- Correct roof guttering and downspouts to ensure that water drains away from the house.
Protect surfaces
- Seal concrete blocks, drywall and other unfinished surfaces.
- Paint bathroom walls and other condensation-prone surfaces with mold/mildew resistant paint.
TOP
