What are common household hot spots for mold growth? What are the best cleaning and/or removal methods for eliminating mold from these areas?
This is actually a complex question, so I will address the hot spots first as these are easier to define. While mold growth can occur nearly anywhere in a home, the most common areas in North Carolina homes are near plumbing in kitchens and baths and in crawlspaces under the home. Mold is also likely to grow on any damp building materials and furnishings; therefore, leaks from roofing or siding issues or high humidity because of an improperly working air conditioner must be corrected quickly. It takes only a few hours for mold to begin growing on carpet and drywall.
The best mold removal method is not an easy question to answer as it depends upon a number of factors.
First, is anyone in the family experiencing health symptoms that could be attributed to mold, or is anyone considered an “at risk” individual? Check with your physician if you are unsure.
Second, are you able to determine the underlying cause and full extent of the mold contamination? For example, can you see a small area of growth on a wall that has a clearly defined “leading edge” that was caused by a known moisture issue?
Finally, while some aspects of the cleanup process are the same for any mold type, the type of engineering controls needed to prevent cross-contamination may vary depending on whether or not the mold is classified as a pathogen.
Before cleaning, consider contacting a certified indoor environmental professional (IEP), found on the Indoor Air Quality Association’s Web site at www.iaqa.org. Such a professional can assist in determining the cause of the mold, collect surface and/or air samples and provide the best method to safely and successfully remove it.
While you may want to collect a small sample of the mold yourself, be sure to have it tested so you know more about the material you are about to disturb. The N.C. Cooperative Extension office in Greensboro, found online at guilford.ces.ncsu.edu, also can assist with getting the sample analyzed, or you can take the sample to a local environmental lab for testing.
If you are absolutely sure that you have correctly identified the mold and repaired the moisture source, you now have to decide if you are comfortable with removing all of the mold yourself.
When removing mold it is best to wear respiratory protection and cover exposed skin to protect yourself from the invisible mold spores. These mold spores are likely to be released when collecting a sample or cleaning up mold. You should also make sure no fans are running, especially the HVAC system, which can spread mold spores throughout the house. The spores can sprout and grow if conditions are right, but even dry spores can cause certain people to have health symptoms long after the visible mold growth has been removed.
To remove the mold, mix up hot water and detergent or use a commercial product such as Concrobium Mold Control and pat the mold with clean cotton rags.
Once again, be sure to consult with a professional if you are unsure of the cause and extent of the mold issue.
Keeping mold awayHere’s a list of simple tips ESG provides clients for guidance in keeping mold at bay:• Fix all moisture leaks immediately. This applies to plumbing leaks and leaks through the exterior.• If the leak is a sudden event such as a burst pipe, your insurance coverage may assist with the cost of testing and repairs.• Check crawlspaces and basements frequently for signs of moisture and make corrections immediately.• Avoid cleaning carpets with water during humid periods.• Turn off the water when leaving home for more than a couple of days.• Keep the thermostat at a reasonable temperature during humid periods. The main purpose of air conditioning is dehumidification, not cooling. The system cannot properly dehumidify if it is not running at least a few minutes each hour. • Keep your home free of settled dust. Dust + humidity = mold growth.• Purchase a hygrometer and monitor relative humidity (RH). An RH of 60 percent or higher will support mold growth — an RH of 40 percent to 50 percent is ideal.• Have your HVAC system checked at the beginning of each summer. Ask the technician to be sure the system is dehumidifying properly and the condensate line is not clogged.• Replace the original plastic icemaker line on the refrigerator with a high-quality braided line that has brass fittings. The $20 you spend could save you thousands of dollars.• Use high-quality, pleated paper furnace filters and a vacuum cleaner with a sealed HEPA system to help trap mold spores.• If you see something that looks like mold, do not spray it with bleach. Bleach kills bacteria, but most molds will survive.
