The Best Treatment for Mold From a Ceiling Leak

Control Moisture

• If you have mold problems in your home, apartment or building, control moisture and humidity as soon as possible, not only to stop mold growth but also for the health of anyone working or living in the environment. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), "Severe reactions may include fever and shortness of breath. Some people with chronic lung illnesses, such as obstructive lung disease, may develop mold infections in their lungs." The EPA also recommends that people with asthma avoid all exposure to molds.

  Look into purchasing a dehumidifier if your home has mold problems. It may be all that's needed to dry out your home and prevent further mold growth. Use the exhaust fan in your kitchen when cooking or cleaning. Keep humidity in your home around 30 to 60 percent to prevent and decrease all mold growth.

Identify Mold Sources

• Look in your home for places mold can grow, such as in your attic. Signs include black or wet wood or discolored walls and ceilings. If you smell something musty or earthy, it usually means mold growth. Check around your plumbing for a leak.

  Mold grows abundantly in wet basements. If you live in an apartment, notify your landlord as soon as you suspect a leak. To prove mold damage to your personal property, you must take pictures of your apartment as soon as you move into it and document its condition. Also, take pictures and document mold growth if you see it.

Seek Solutions

• The best treatment for a ceiling leak or any mold-growing problem requires using common household bleach, according to The National Jewish Medical and Research Center, the only pulmonary, respiratory, immune disease medical and research center in the United States.

  The September 2005 issue of "The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology" reports research from The National Jewish Medical and Research Center as "the first to test the effect on allergic individuals of mold spores treated with common household bleach." John Martyny, Ph.D., associate professor of medicine at National Jewish and lead author stated that "treating mold with bleach lowered allergic reactions to the mold in allergic patients."

  Spray with a solution of one part bleach to 16 parts water, and repeat if necessary. The bleach reduces and kills mold spores. Open your windows before using the bleach solution, and never mix bleach with ammonia or any other household cleaners--this produces toxic fumes.

  Another treatment requires applying a solution of detergent to the mold. Dip a mop into water containing detergent, then clean the walls or ceiling where you see mold or mildew growth. This may take care of the mold problem if it's isolated.

  A homemade remedy involves making a solution of three parts white vinegar to one part water in a spray bottle and spraying it wherever you see mold or mildew. You might need to spray the same area a few times before all of the mold dies. Use goggles, a disposable dust mask and rubber gloves when dealing with mold cleanup.

  Replace your carpet and ceiling tiles if they become moldy. If drywall becomes moldy, avoid cleaning it with the detergent and water solution, which only keeps it moist, causing more damage. If you suspect mold under the paint, have a contractor who cleans mold take care of it and find the mold source. In the meantime, seal off the moldy area with plastic sheeting.

  Get professional help also if you see a lot of mold, or if you or someone in the home has respiratory problems possibly originating from inside of the home.