6 signs that you might have mold in your property
- Has any part of the property been wet for over 48 hours?
- Have you had a history of water leaks?
- Are you noticing condensation indoors?
- Are you experiencing musty or moldy odors in your property?
- Are occupants reporting respiratory related issues in your pro
- Is there visible deterioration of floors, drywall, or ceilings?
Learn more about mold
Understanding Mold Under the right conditions (moisture, a food source, and time) mold will grow, multiply and produce spores. Mold grows throughout nature as well as the built environment. Mold reproduces by microscopic cells called “spores” that can be spread easily through the air. Mold spores are always present in the indoor and outdoor air.
There are mold that can grow on any organic substrate including wood, paper, carpet, food, ceiling tiles, dried fish, carpet, or any surface where dust has accumulated. When excessive moisture or water accumulates indoors, mold growth will often occur, particularly if the moisture problem remains undiscovered or un-addressed.
There is no practical way to eliminate all mold spores in the indoor environment. The way to control indoor mold growth is to control the amount of moisture available to the mold. Mold growth can become a problem in your home or office where there is sufficient moisture and the right foodstuff is available.
The key to preventing mold growth is to prevent all moisture problems. Of course, hidden mold can grow when there is water available behind walls, sinks, floors, etc. Indications of hidden moisture problems are discoloration of ceiling or walls, warped floors or condensation on the windows or walls.
Can mold affect your health?
Based on the Institute of Medicine and the National Academy of Sciences, dampness and mold in homes is associated with increases in several adverse health effects including cough, upper respiratory symptoms, wheeze, and exacerbation of asthma. Mold and fungi contain many known allergens and toxins that can adversely affect your health.
Scientific evidence suggests that the disease of asthma may be more prevalent in damp affected buildings. Dampness and mold in homes, office buildings and schools represent a public health problem.
The Institute of Medicine concluded, “When microbial contamination is found, it should be eliminated by means that not only limit the possibility of recurrence but also limit exposure of occupants and persons conducting the remediation”.
10 things to know about mold in your home
- Potential health effects and symptoms associated with mold exposures include allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory problems.
- There is no practical way to completely eliminate mold and mold spores in the indoor environment. The way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.
- If mold is a problem in your home or building, you must clean up the mold and eliminate sources of moisture.
- To prevent mold growth any source of a water problem or leak must be repaired.
- Indoor humidity must be reduced (generally below 60%) to reduce the chances of mold growth by: adequately 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.
- Clean and dry any damp or wet building materials and furnishings within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.
- Clean mold off of hard surfaces with water and detergent and dry completely.
- Prevent condensation: reduce the potential for condensation on cold surfaces (e.g., windows, piping, exterior walls, roof, or floors) by adding insulation.
- In areas where there is a perpetual moisture problem on the floor, do not install carpeting
- Mold can be found almost anywhere. Mold can grow on wood, paper, carpet, foods; almost anything can support some mold growth provided there is moisture, time to grow and food to eat.