A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home
This Guide provides information and guidance for homeowners and
renters on how to clean up residential mold problems and how to prevent
mold growth.
Mold Basics
- The key to mold control is moisture control.
- If mold is a problem in your home, you should clean up the mold promptly and fix the water problem.
- It is important to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.
Why is mold growing in my home?
Mold growing outdoors on firewood.
Molds come in many colors; both white and black molds are shown here. Click on the image for larger version.
Molds are part of the natural environment. Outdoors, molds play a
part in nature by breaking down dead organic matter such as fallen
leaves and dead trees, but indoors, mold growth should be avoided. 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, and none of them will grow without water or
moisture.
Can mold cause health problems?
Molds are usually not a problem indoors, unless mold spores land on
a wet or damp spot and begin growing. Molds have the potential to cause
health problems. Molds produce allergens (substances that can cause
allergic reactions), irritants, and in some cases, potentially toxic
substances (mycotoxins). Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may
cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Allergic responses
include hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes,
and skin rash (dermatitis). Allergic reactions to mold are common.
They can be immediate or delayed. 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. Symptoms other than the allergic
and irritant types are not commonly reported as a result of inhaling
mold. Research on mold and health effects is ongoing.
Magnified mold spores
Molds
gradually destroy the things they grow on. You can prevent damage to
your home and furnishings, save money, and avoid potential health
problems by controlling moisture and eliminating mold growth
This [guidance] provides a brief overview; it does not describe all
potential health effects related to mold exposure. For more detailed
information consult a health professional. You may also wish to consult
your state or local health department.
How do I get rid of mold?
It is impossible to get rid of all mold and mold spores indoors;
some mold spores will be found floating through the air and in house
dust. The mold spores will not grow if moisture is not present. Indoor
mold growth can and should be prevented or controlled by controlling
moisture indoors. If there is mold growth in your home, you must 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 come back.
Top of page
Mold Cleanup
Who should do the cleanup depends on a number of
factors. One consideration is the size of the mold problem. If the moldy
area is less than about 10 square feet (less than roughly a 3 ft. by 3
ft. patch), in most cases, you can handle the job yourself, follow the guidelines. However:
If you already have a mold problem - ACT QUICKLY. Mold damages what it grows on. The longer it grows, the more damage it can cause.
Leaky window - mold is beginning to rot the wooden frame and windowsill.
- If there has been a lot of water damage, and/or mold growth covers more than 10 square feet, consult EPA's Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings. Although focused on schools and commercial buildings, this document is applicable to other building types.
- If you choose to hire a contractor (or other professional
service provider) to do the cleanup, make sure the contractor has
experience cleaning up mold. Check references and ask the contractor to
follow the recommendations in EPA's Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings,
the guidelines of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial
Hygenists (ACGIH), or other guidelines from professional or government
organizations.
- If you suspect that the heating/ventilation/air conditioning
(HVAC) system may be contaminated with mold (it is part of an identified
moisture problem, for instance, or there is mold near the intake to the
system), consult EPA's guide Should You Have the Air Ducts in Your Home Cleaned? before taking further action. Do not run the HVAC system if you know or
suspect that it is contaminated with mold - it could spread mold
throughout the building.
- If the water and/or mold damage was caused by sewage or other
contaminated water, then call in a professional who has experience
cleaning and fixing buildings damaged by contaminated water.
- If you have health concerns, consult a health professional before starting cleanup.
Top of page
Mold Cleanup Guidelines
Tips and techniques
The tips and techniques presented in this section will help you
clean up your mold problem. Professional cleaners or remediators may use
methods not covered in this publication. Please note that mold may
cause staining and cosmetic damage. It may not be possible to clean an
item so that its original appearance is restored.
Mold growing on the underside of a plastic lawn chair in an area where rainwater drips through and deposits organic material. Click on the image for a larger version.
Mold growing on a piece of ceiling tile. Click on the image for a larger version.
- Fix plumbing leaks and other water problems as soon as possible. Dry all items completely.
- Scrub mold off hard surfaces with detergent and water, and dry completely.
- 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.
- Avoid exposing yourself or others to mold (see discussions: What to Wear When Cleaning Moldy Areas and Hidden Mold).
- 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.
Bathroom Tip
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, or at least keep the mold to a minimum
Top of page
What to Wear When Cleaning Moldy Areas
It is important to take precautions to LIMIT YOUR EXPOSURE to mold and mold spores.
Cleaning while wearing N-95 respirator, gloves and goggles. Click on the image for a larger version.
- Avoid breathing in mold or mold spores. In order to limit
your exposure to airborne mold, you may want to wear an N-95 respirator,
available at many hardware stores and from companies that advertise on
the Internet. (They cost about $12 to $25.) Some N-95 respirators
resemble a paper dust mask with a nozzle on the front, others are made
primarily of plastic or rubber and have removable cartridges that trap
most of the mold spores from entering. In order to be effective, the
respirator or mask must fit properly, so carefully follow the
instructions supplied with the respirator. Please note that the
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that
respirators fit properly (fit testing) when used in an occupational
setting; consult OSHA for more information (800-321-OSHA or www.osha.gov).
- Wear gloves. Long gloves that extend to the middle of the
forearm are recommended. When working with water and a mild detergent,
ordinary household rubber gloves may be used. If you are using a
disinfectant, a biocide such as chlorine bleach, or a strong cleaning
solution, you should select gloves made from natural rubber, neoprene,
nitrile, polyurethane, or PVC (see Cleanup and Biocides). Avoid touching mold or moldy items with your bare hands.
- Wear goggles. Goggles that do not have ventilation holes are recommended. Avoid getting mold or mold spores in your eyes.
How Do I Know When the Remediation or Cleanup is Finished?
Mold growing on a suitcase stored in a humid basement. Click on the image for a larger version.
You must have completely fixed the water or moisture problem before the cleanup or remediation can be considered finished.
- You should have completed mold removal. Visible
mold and moldy odors should not be present. Please note that mold may
cause staining and cosmetic damage.
- You should have revisited the site(s) shortly after cleanup and it should show no signs of water damage or mold growth.
- People should have been able to occupy or re-occupy the area without health complaints or physical symptoms.
- Ultimately, this is a judgment call; there is no easy answer. If you have concerns or questions consult our Frequently Asked Questions database and ask a question if you don't find what you need.
Top of page
Moisture and Mold Prevention and Control Tips
Moisture Control is the Key to Mold Control
Mold growing on the surface of a unit ventilator. Click on the image for a larger version.
Condensation on the inside of a windowpane.
- 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.
- 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.
Relative humidity can be measured with a moisture or humidity meter, a
small, inexpensive ($10-$50) instrument available at many hardware
stores.
- If you see condensation or moisture collecting on windows, walls or
pipes ACT QUICKLY to dry the wet surface and reduce the moisture/water
source. Condensation can be a sign of high humidity.
Actions that will help to reduce humidity
- Vent appliances that produce moisture, such as clothes dryers,
stoves, and kerosene heaters to the outside where possible. (Combustion
appliances such as stoves and kerosene heaters produce water vapor and
will increase the humidity unless vented to the outside.)
- 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
dishwashing, etc.
Actions that will help prevent condensation
Mold growing on a wooden headboard in a room with high humidity. Click on the image for a larger version.
- Reduce the humidity.
- Increase ventilation or air movement by opening doors and/or windows, when practical. Use fans as needed.
- Cover cold surfaces, such as cold water pipes, with insulation.
- Increase air temperature.
Renters: Report all plumbing leaks and moisture
problems immediately to your building owner, manager, or superintendent.
In cases where persistent water problems are not addressed, you may
want to contact local, state, or federal health or housing authorities.
You can also contact your state health department.
Testing or Sampling for Mold
Rust is an indicator that condensation occurs on this drainpipe. The pipe should be insulated to prevent condensation. Click on the image for a larger version.
Is sampling for mold needed? In most cases, if visible mold growth is present, sampling is unnecessary. Since no EPA or other federal limits have been set for mold or mold
spores, sampling cannot be used to check a building's compliance with
federal mold standards. Surface sampling may be useful to determine if
an area has been adequately cleaned or remediated. Sampling for mold
should be conducted by professionals who have specific experience in
designing mold sampling protocols, sampling methods, and interpreting
results. Sample analysis should follow analytical methods recommended by
the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), the American
Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), or other
professional organizations.
Top of page
Hidden Mold
Suspicion of hidden mold
Mold growing on the back side of wallpaper.
Water stain on a basement wall -- locate and fix the source of the water promptly. Click on the image for a larger version.
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).
Investigating hidden mold problems
Investigating hidden mold problems may be difficult and will require
caution when the investigation involves disturbing potential sites of
mold growth. For example, removal of wallpaper can lead to a massive
release of spores if there is mold growing on the underside of the
paper. If you believe that you may have a hidden mold problem, consider
hiring an experienced professional.
Cleanup and Biocides
Biocides are substances that can destroy living organisms. The use
of a chemical or biocide that kills organisms such as mold (chlorine
bleach, for example) is not recommended as a routine practice during
mold cleanup. There may be instances, however, when professional
judgment may indicate its use (for example, when immune-compromised
individuals are present). In most cases, it is not possible or desirable
to sterilize an area; a background level of mold spores will remain -
these spores will not grow if the moisture problem has been resolved. If
you choose to use disinfectants or biocides, always ventilate the area
and exhaust the air to the outdoors. Never mix chlorine bleach solution
with other cleaning solutions or detergents that contain ammonia because
toxic fumes could be produced.
Please note: Dead mold may still cause allergic reactions in
some people, so it is not enough to simply kill the mold, it must also
be removed.
Top of page
|
