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Brevard County’s
sub-tropical climate makes for higher mold levels than other regions with lower
temperatures, humidity, and rainfall. So how much mold is too much and how would
a homeowner know when they have a “mold problem”? This answer is not simple and
is related to a number of factors including an individual’s immune system,
sensitivities, and overall health. The key point for homes is that mold levels
inside should not be higher than mold levels outside. If elevated mold levels
exist inside the home then it can be concluded that a problem exists that
requires correction. Most mold problems occur as a result of roof or plumbing
leaks or water intrusion from walls, windows, or foundations. Sometimes mold
occurs in homes that lack adequate ventilation or air exchanges and cooking,
showering, and other normal activities create high moisture levels that foster
mold growth. The news media has sensationalized “toxic mold” and “black mold” as
significant health issues and while some varieties of mold do produce toxins, it
is important to remember that any “elevated level” of mold increases health
concerns.
One simple guideline is that if
you see mold, you probably have a mold problem. The solution is to identify the
origin of the visible mold, make repairs that eliminate the moisture problem and
perform the appropriate level of mold remediation (mold removal and sanitizing
of materials). Mold remediation is a specialized process and should be trusted
only to trained professionals.
Mold growth, which often looks like spots, can be many different colors and
can smell musty. If you can see or smell mold, a heath risk may be
present. You do not need to know the type of mold growing in your home,
and CDC does not recommend or perform routine sampling for molds. No
matter what type of mold is present, you should remove it. Since the
effect of mold on people can vary greatly, either because of the amount or type
of mold, you cannot rely on sampling and culturing to know your health risk.
If mold is growing in your home you need to clean up the mold and fix the
moisture problem. Mold growth can be removed from hard surfaces with
commercial products, soap and water, or a bleach solution of 1 cup of water in 1
gallon of bleach*.
Mold is found both indoors and outdoors. It can enter your home through
open doorways, windows, vents and air conditioning systems. Mold in the
air outside can attach itself to clothing, shoes, bags and pets and can easily
be carried indoors. Mold will grow in places with a lot of moisture, such
as around leaks in roofs, windows, pipes, or where there has been flooding or
standing water. Mold grows well on paper products, cardboard, ceiling
tiles and wood products. It can also grow in dust, paints, wallpaper,
insulation, drywall, carpet, fabric and upholstery.
Mold Air Sampling
Air sampling is an accepted method
of determining levels of mold present and is also used to see if mold
remediation successfully corrected the problem. Air sampling requires
specialized equipment and a certified laboratory analysis. Lab reports will
indicate whether the inside air samples contain “elevated levels” of mold spores
as compared to air samples taken outside. A minimum of two air samples are
necessary, more if a house has more than one story or is large. Tepee
Inspections Inc. has been performing mold testing for over 5 years and our
relationship with Pro-Lab®, a Florida certified
laboratory, allows us to provide quality results with fast turn-around times.
Home do-it-yourself mold testing kits available at retail outlets are of little
value and will almost certainly result in mold cultures that do little to
confirm or deny the existence of a problem. Air sampling cartridges or
spore traps and laboratory analysis cost $100 each and results are typically
available the next business day.
Mold Assessment
Inspections
Tepee Inspections
Inc. also offers a separate “mold assessment” inspection that does not include
air sampling. The mold assessment inspection concentrates on finding the source
of mold and correcting the causes. The charge for a mold assessment inspection
is $150 and includes a written report and photos to document the findings. These
different approaches to finding and solving mold problems allow homeowners the
flexibility of choosing the most cost effective solution to their problems. For
those who just want the peace-of-mind that their home or the home they are
purchasing doesn’t have a mold problem, air sampling is the way to go.
Mold Prevention Tips
- Keep the humidity level in your home between 40% and 60%.
- Use the air conditioner or a dehumidifier during the humid months and in
damp spaces.
- Be sure your home has enough ventilation. Use exhaust fans which
vent outside the home in the kitchen and bathroom. Be sure the clothes
dryer vent outside the home.
- Fix any leaks in the roof, walls or plumbing.
- Clean up and dry out the home thoroughly and quickly (within 24-48
hours) after flooding.
- Add mold inhibitors to paints before painting.
- Clean bathrooms with mold killing products.
- Remove or replace carpets and upholstery that have been soaked and
cannot be dried promptly. Consider not using carpet in rooms or areas
like bathrooms that have a lot of moisture.
Please visit
the following links for more help and information on Mold.
*
If you choose to use bleach to clean up
mold:
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Never
mix bleach with ammonia. Mixing bleach and ammonia will produce
dangerous and toxic fumes.
-
Open
windows and doors to provide fresh air.
-
Wear
non-porous gloves and protective eye wear.
-
Always follow the manufacturer's instructions when using bleach or any other
cleaning product.
-
If the area to be
cleaned is more than 10 square feet, consult the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) guide titled Mold Remediation in Schools and
Commercial Buildings. Although focused on schools and commercial buildings,
this document also applies to other building types. You can get it free by
calling the EPA Indoor Air Quality Information Clearinghouse at (800)
438-4318, or by going to the EPA web site at
http://www.epa.gov/mold/mold_remediation.html.
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