Mold Remediation: How to Get Rid of Mold in Your Home
The Importance of Identifying Moisture as the Source of Mold Growth
Mold is a common problem in homes and can be a serious health hazard if left untreated. Mold growth is encouraged by warm and humid conditions, making it important to identify the source of moisture in your home to prevent it from coming back.
How to Identify Moisture in Your Home
The first step to getting rid of mold is to find the moisture that is causing the mold. Signs of moisture in your home can include:
- Wet or water-stained walls, ceilings, or floors
- Wet carpet
- Condensation on windows
- Wet soil in crawl space
Identifying the Source of Water
Once you have identified moisture in your home, the next step is to find the source of the water. Common sources of water include:
- Leaking roof
- Broken water pipes
- Poor drainage around the home, allowing water to seep into crawl spaces or basements
- Air conditioner not being used or not working properly
It's essential to take steps to stop moisture from getting into your home, or the mold will continue to come back.
Steps to Prevent Mold Growth
Here are some steps to prevent mold growth in your home:
- Repair any broken pipes or leaks promptly. If leaks are severe, consider turning off water to the home or covering the roof until repairs can be made.
- Use fans to circulate air and keep areas dry. Dampness around foundations, in basements, or within crawlspaces may require extra care.
- Foundations should have a vapor barrier in place. Foundation or basement walls may need a water-tight paint or sealant. Basements and crawlspaces should have adequate ventilation and/or dehumidification.
- Make sure rainwater does not flood up against the foundation wall. A French drain or sump pump may be needed to remove groundwater.
Mold growth can be removed from hard surfaces with soap and water. However, if the surface affected by mold is porous, such as sheet rock or carpet, it will likely need to be replaced. Painting or caulking over mold will not solve the problem.
To learn more about green cleaning alternatives, consult with this document from the University of Tennessee Agriculture Extension.
Mold Testing
Many people think that the first step to getting rid of mold is to conduct a test to identify the mold type. However, experts do not recommend testing to identify the type of mold since all types can cause problems, regardless of toxicity. Proper mold tests are expensive, and there are no standards for acceptable mold levels. The presence of mold in the home does not imply a health risk. Still, any type of mold present should be cleaned and moisture problems in the home corrected so that the mold does not return.
If the source of excess moisture is not apparent, testing for the presence of excess moisture can provide valuable information to assist in identifying the source of a mold problem. Moisture meters and digital humidity monitors are relatively inexpensive and available at many home and department stores. Both can be helpful. A moisture meter can tell you how much water is inside building materials, and a humidity monitor can show how much water is in the air.
Maintaining indoor humidity between 30-50 percent is essential for preventing mold growth. Click here for more information on home moisture provided by the Minnesota Department of Commerce Energy Information Center.
Health Effects of Mold
Mold can produce allergens, irritants, and, in some cases, mycotoxins. The most common health effects for people sensitive to mold are allergic reactions and irritation. Mold can also trigger asthma attacks. While some people, such as asthmatics, can have adverse reactions, many will have no reaction to mold. Since the sensitivity of individuals to mold can vary greatly, sampling and culturing are not reliable measures of health issues relating to mold. If you are sensitive to mold, and mold is seen or smelled, it can potentially pose a health issue. For more information about the health effects of mold, see this webpage from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Addressing Mold in Rented Property
If you suspect that your rental property has a mold problem, give a written request to your landlord for repairs that are needed and keep a copy for your records. It is not recommended that you stop paying rent. The Tennessee Department of Health does not have the authority to inspect and require landlords to address mold issues in rental property.
However, in some cases, local building codes may help to address the problems that contribute to mold growth. If your local codes department can provide assistance for problems such as unaddressed leaking pipes, roof leaks, sagging ceilings, sunken floors, or poor drainage around a building, it can help toward addressing your mold problem. Click here to check city code ordinances in Tennessee, or click here for county information.
If a water leak is endangering electrical outlets, contact the State Fire Marshall's Office for guidance. If all else fails, click here for information on how to file a complaint with the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs.
Conclusion
Mold growth in your home can be a health risk and a major nuisance. Identifying the sources of moisture in your home and taking steps to eliminate it is the key to preventing new mold growth. While there is no need to test for the type of mold present, timely and proper disposal of affected items is critical to avoiding health risks. Ultimately, by following the instructions outlined in this article, you can ensure your home remains clear of mold and your family remains safe.
Based on an article from: https://www.tn.gov/health/cedep/environmental/healthy-homes/hh/mold.html
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