The Dangers of Mold in Your Home

The dangers of mold in your home have been well documented and publicized much lately. A 300% increase in cases of asthma in the last 20 years has been linked to the exposure to mold, as has the increase in respiratory infections and sinus infections. The young, the elderly, and others with suppressed immune systems (such as HIV-AIDS patients) are at higher risk to develop infections from mold.

Mold is everywhere. Over 50 molds are considered to be the cause of serious problems, including Stachbotry, more commonly known as "black mold". Mold can become a significant problem when it is exposed to water or high humidity (above 55%). Damp, dark areas with poor circulation allow the mold spores to sprout and spread. As a realtor, I have inspected many, many homes, and can almost tell immediately when mold is present. Since mold grows in dark places, it is not always readily visible, but you can small the musty odor immediately if it is present in the home. The odor usually is your first clue that a problem exists.

Mold spores grow on organic materials, such as carpet, wood, leather, sheetrock, and insulation. Mold can also be found growing along walls where cold air from the exterior comes in contact with an interior wall. Behind dressers, headboards, and in closets are prime places for mold growth.

If you find mold growing in your home, and the area it covers is less than 10 square feet, EPA guidelines allow you to clean it up yourself. For larger area, you need to call in a professional, which can be found in the Yellow Pages under "Fire and Water Damage Restoration".

To clean it up yourself, use protective gloves and goggles. Close off the room you are working in to limit the spread of airborne spores. Bag up and remove moldy materials and put them directly in the trash. Then wash the surface where the mold is growing with laundry detergent and warm water and allow it to dry thoroughly. You can also use a solution of 1/4 cup bleach to one quart of water, wash down the surface, let it dry, and repeat. After the area has dried thoroughly, apply a borate-based detergent solution and don't rinse. a borate-based detergent will list "borate" on the label. This helps to prevent mold from growing here in the future.

The best defense against mold in your home is a good offense. Fix water leaks in your home and use a fan to dry out the area. Repair leaky roofs. Install and use exhaust fans in the bathroom and kitchen areas. Vacuum and clean your home regularly to remove mold spores, using a HEPA filter that will trap the spores and not release them back into the air.

Be vigilant in looking for mold around the house when there has been any type of water situation, and dry it out right away to prevent mold from growing in the first place.