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Got
Mold? Frequently Asked Questions About Mold
What are molds?
What makes
molds grow
in my home?
Can I be exposed
to mold?
Do molds affect
my health?
When is mold a
problem?
When should I sample for mold?
Can I control
mold growth in my home?
What
can I use to clean up mold?
What cleans up moldy
furniture?
Should I paint over mold?
Must landlords tell tenants about mold?
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What
are molds?
Molds are tiny microscopic organisms that
digest organic matter and reproduce by releasing spores. Molds are a type of
fungi and there are over 100,000 species. In nature, mold helps decompose or
break-down leaves, wood and other plant debris. Molds become a problem
when they go where they are not wanted and digest materials such as our
homes.
What
makes molds
grow in my home?
Mold enters your home as tiny spores. The
spores need moisture to begin growing, digesting and destroying. Molds can grow on almost any surface, including; wood, ceiling
tiles, wallpaper, paints, carpet, sheet rock, and insulation. The mold grows
best when there is lots of moisture from a leaky roof, high humidity, or
flood. There is no way to get rid of all molds and mold spores from your home.
But you can control mold growth by keeping your home dry.
Can I be
exposed to mold?
When molds are disturbed, they release
spores into the air. You can be exposed by breathing air containing these
mold spores. You can also be exposed through touching moldy items, eating
moldy food or accidental hand to mouth contact.
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Do molds affect my health?
Most molds do not harm
healthy people. But people who have allergies or asthma may be more
sensitive to molds. Sensitive people may experience skin rash, running nose,
eye irritation, cough, nasal congestion, aggravation of asthma or difficulty
breathing. People with an immune suppression or underlying lung disease, may
be at increased risk for infections from molds.
A small number of molds produce toxins called mycotoxins. When people are
exposed to high levels of mold mycotoxins they may suffer toxic effects, including fatigue, nausea, headaches, and irritation to the lungs
and eyes. If you or your family members have health problems that you
suspect are caused by exposure to mold, you should consult with your
physician.
When
is mold a problem?
You know you have mold when you smell the
"musty" odor or see small black or white specks along your damp bathroom or
basement walls. Some mold is hidden growing behind wall coverings or ceiling
tiles. Even dry, dead mold can cause health problems, so always take
precautions when you suspect mold.
Mold is often found in areas where water has damaged building materials and
furniture from flooding or plumbing leaks. Mold can also be found growing
along walls where warm moist air condenses on cooler wall surfaces, such as
inside cold exterior walls, behind dressers, headboards, and in closets
where articles are stored against walls. Mold often grows in rooms with both
high water usage and humidity, such as kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms,
and basements. If you notice mold or know of water damaged areas in your
home, it is time to take action to control its growth.
When
should I sample for mold?
You don't need to sample for mold because in most
cases you can see or smell mold. Even a clean, dry house will have some mold
spores, but not enough to cause health problems. If you smell mold it may be
hidden behind wallpaper, in the walls or ceiling or under the carpet. If you
suspect you have hidden mold be very careful when you investigate, protect
yourself from exposure in the same manner as you would for a clean-up. See
chart below:
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Can
I control mold growth in my home?
Yes you can. Dry out the House
and fix any moisture problems in your home:
-
Stop
water leaks, repair leaky roofs and plumbing. Keep water away from
concrete slabs and basement walls.
-
Open
windows and doors to increase air flow in your home, especially along
the inside of exterior walls. Use a fan if there are no windows
available.
-
Make
sure that
warm air flows into all areas of the home. Move large objects
a few inches away from the inside of exterior walls to increase air
circulation.
-
Install and use exhaust fans in bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms.
-
Ventilate and insulate attic and crawl spaces. Use heavy plastic to
cover earth floors in crawl spaces.
-
Clean
and dry water damaged carpets, clothing, bedding, and upholstered
furniture within 24 to 48 hours, or consider removing and replacing
damaged furnishings.
-
Vacuum
and clean your home regularly to remove mold spores.
-
Check
around your windows for signs of condensation and water droplets. Wipe
them up right away so mold can» t start to grow.
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What
can I use to clean up mold?
Clean up mold and take care of the problem by following the advice
above to keep your home dry and keep mold out.
Act fast! Mold
damages your home as it grows. Clean it up as soon as possible.
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Size the moldy area |
Decide if you
have a large or small area of mold. A small area is less then
about ten square feet, or a patch three feet by three feet
square. To clean a small area, follow the advice below. You may
use a cotton face mask for protection.
If you have a
lot of mold damage (more then ten square feet) consider hiring a
cleaning professional. If the moldy area has been contaminated
by sewage or is in hidden places hire a professional. To find a
professional, check under "Fire and Water Damage Restoration" in
your Yellow Pages. If you decide to clean up on your own, follow
the guidance below.
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Use protection |
Wear goggles,
gloves, and breathing protection while working in the area. For
large consolidated areas of mold growth, you should wear an
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) approved
particle mask.
|
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Seal the area |
Seal off area from the rest of your home. Cover heat registers
or ventilation ducts/grills. Open a window before you start to
clean up.
|
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Remove items |
Remove all your furnishings to a mold-free area. Clean the
surrounding moldy area then follow cleaning directions below for
the items you removed and the new space.
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Bag moldy trash |
Bag all moldy materials and tie off the top of the bag. Bring
them outdoors and place in your garbage container right away.
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Scrub surfaces |
Scrub hard surfaces:
-
First, wash with a mild detergent solution, such
as laundry detergent and warm water. Allow to dry.
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(Optional step) Then wipe with a solution of
1/4
cup bleach to one gallon of water. Wait 20 minutes and repeat.
Wait another 20 minutes.
-
Last, apply a borate-based detergent solution and
don't rinse. This will help prevent mold from growing
again. A borate-based laundry or dish washer detergent has
"borate" listed on the ingredients label.
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Clean and wash
|
Give the entire area a good cleaning, vacuum floors, and wash
any exposed bedding or clothing. |
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Monitor |
Check regularly to make sure mold has not returned to the
clean-up area.
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What cleans up
moldy furniture?
How to
clean your moldy furniture depends on how it reacts to water. See chart
below:
|
Reaction
to Water |
Items |
Recommendations |
|
Doesn't absorb water and is washable |
Wood, metal, plastic, glass, and ceramics
objects.
|
Wipe with a solution of lukewarm water and
laundry detergent. |
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Absorbs water and is washable |
Clothes and bedding.
|
Wash in laundry. |
|
Absorbs water but not washable |
Beds, sofas and other furniture.
|
These items may have to be discarded.
Or, try to save by vacuuming well and
allowing to air out. If there is no odor it may be okay.
Mold can come back, so watch for any mold growth or mold
related health problems. Discard the item if you suspect
mold is growing inside or outside the item. |
Should
I paint over mold?
No. Don't paint or caulk over mold.
The mold will grow under the paint and the paint will peel.
Must
landlords tell tenants about mold?
Yes! In
2005, the Washington State legislature approved Engrossed Senate
Bill
(ESB)
5049 (See especially Section 2.12) that requires landlords to notify their tenants about mold. For more information on these requirements, see the DOH Web page on this requirement for landlords and the timing of
notification.
For more information
For more information, see the
IAQ home page
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