Have You Checked Around Your House for Mold?

Mold is a relatively common household occurrence that can potentially cause health problems as well as damage to structures and surfaces. Although most molds are harmless, some can cause serious respiratory problems, especially in sensitive individuals, so it's important to be aware of potential mold growth in your home. As with most things, a little knowledge goes a long way - read below for information that will help you identify a mold problem.

Mold Basics:
Mold enters your home as tiny spores, which need moisture to begin growing, digesting and destroying. Mold can grow on almost any surface, including wood, ceiling tiles, wallpaper, paints, carpet, sheet rock, and insulation, given the right conditions.

Identifying the Problem:
Mold most often appears as small black or white specks in places like your damp bathroom or basement walls. To the unaided eye, mold has a variety of appearances: fuzzy, velvety, leathery, powdery, and glassy. Mold colonies may appear to be black stains or patches of white, yellow, green, brown, black, gray, or even pink. Some mold may be hidden behind wall coverings or ceiling tiles, but is often visible to the naked eye.

Where to Look:
Mold grows best when there is an abundance of moisture, so it is often found in areas with water damage or excessive humidity. Mold can also be found growing along walls where warm moist air condenses on cooler wall surfaces, such as 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.

Trust your nose:
The compounds produced by molds have strong smells, which are volatile and quickly released into the air. Because these compounds often have strong or unpleasant odors, they can cause a "moldy" or musty smell frequently associated with mold growth. A musty odor suggests that mold is growing in the building and should be investigated.

Trust, but Verify

Especially in winter, your nose can be irritated by a variety of causes such as allergies and dry air. It is suggested that you test your house for elevated mold spores in the air, and also for elevated levels of allergens. This can be especially useful if you’ve recently moved into a home with wall-to-wall carpeting. If you suspect a mold problem, you should address the issue as quickly as possible, as mold can spread quickly. A professional can help you spot water intrusion that you may not be able to see with infra-red detection. As long as the moisture problem is corrected, you can successfully clean up a small amount of mold yourself using a simple solution warm water and soap, however larger infestations should be tested and removed by a professional mitigation expert.

Article courtesy of David R. Leopold, ACI

 David Leopold
146 Coleman Road
Fairfield, CT 06825
tel: 888-801-7111
fax: 203-374-4564
David.Leopold@pillartopost.com

www.pillartopost.com

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