Ten Things You Should Know About Mold
1. Potential health effects and symptoms
associated with mold exposures include allergic reactions, asthma, and other
respiratory complaints.
2. There is no practical way to
eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment; the way to
control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.
3. If mold is a problem in your home,
you must clean up the mold and eliminate sources of moisture.
4. Fix the source of the water problem
or leak to prevent mold growth.
5. Reduce indoor humidity (to 30-60%) to
decrease mold growth by: venting bathrooms, dryers, and other moisture
generating sources to the outside ; using air conditioners and de-humidifiers;
increasing ventilation; and using exhaust fans whenever cooking, dishwashing,
and cleaning.
6. Clean and dry any damp or wet
building materials and furnishings within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.
7. Clean mold off hard surfaces with
water and detergent, and dry completely.
Absorbent materials such as ceiling tiles, that are moldy, may need to
be replaced.
8. Prevent condensation: Reduce the
potential for condensation on cold surfaces (i.e., windows, piping, exterior
walls, roof, or floors) by adding insulation.
9. In areas where there is a perpetual
moisture problem, do not install carpeting (i.e., on concrete floors with leaks
or frequent condensation).
10. Molds can be found almost anywhere;
they can grow on virtually any substance, providing moisture is present. There are molds that can grow on wood, paper,
carpet, and foods.