How Is House Mold Determined?

Identification

• Mold is a fungus that grows from spores that enter our homes. If our homes have areas of excess moisture and high humidity, mold will grow within 48 hours. Mold can grow on many types of surfaces including paper, wood, tile, glass, metal, cardboard and insulation. Porous materials such as carpet, paint, drywall and fabric are also places where mold tends to grow.

Causes

• Mold must have moisture to grow and thrive. Many homes with leaking water pipes and leaky roofs have mold growth. Homes that have been flooded are at an increased risk of mold growth. After a flood, homeowners must begin to remove water-soaked items and excess water within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth. Mold growth is also favored by high indoor humidity. Many people fail to install vents in the bathroom, dryer vents and ceiling fans, and this increases indoor humidity.

Diagnosis

• Mold can be smelled if growing indoors. Houses with mold growth often have a musty scent. The Center for Disease Control or CDC states that if homeowners can smell mold, they are at risk of adverse health effects related to mold exposure. Another way to diagnose a mold problem is to see it. Mold is usually gray, white, green or black in color and has a spotted appearance. Some molds may appear fuzzy as well. The CDC recommends that all homeowners who see mold in their homes clean it up and fix the source of the moisture that is causing it to grow. Mold testing is not recommended for homeowners. The CDC wants homeowners to treat all mold as potentially hazardous and remove it immediately. Some people experience symptoms after mold exposure such as wheezing, sneezing, itchy eyes and skin rash. Many people are sensitive to mold, and being exposed to it causes allergic reactions. Those with asthma or immune-mediated diseases may suffer serious reactions to mold exposure.

Solution

• If you can smell or see mold growing in your home, you must remove it. Wear protective goggles, gloves, a mask and long pants when cleaning up mold. Open a window to ventilate the area you are cleaning. Scrub the mold away with detergent and water for best results. Porous items such as carpet usually need to be replaced, as it is difficult to remove all mold spores. If the moldy area is larger than 10 square feet, consult the Environmental Protection Agency or EPA before attempting to clean it yourself. Those with health issues such as asthma, bronchitis, chronic pulmonary obstructive disease or immune deficiencies should not attempt to remove mold themselves. Contact a mold removal specialist for advice on removal and cleaning.