Mold experts share some tips

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Posted on Sat, Feb. 18, 2006

Mold experts share some tips

Akron Beacon Journal - Akron,OH

http://www.ohio.com/mld/beaconjournal/living/13904290.htm

Here are some answers to questions about mold, gathered from mold

authorities Thad Godish, May and Sill:

Q: How can I prevent mold?

A: The best prevention is careful home maintenance. Never ignore a

leak, because it takes only days for mold to grow. Fix openings in

the house's outer shell where water can seep in, and make sure your

attic is properly ventilated.

In the bathroom, open a window or use a ventilating fan when you

take showers. Make sure the fan is vented to the outside of the

house, not into the attic. If you don't have a window or ventilating

fan, set a small oscillating fan on the vanity to help dry the room.

You might even dry your towels outside the bathroom if the moisture

is significant.

In the basement, use a dehumidifier if the relative humidity there

is higher than 50 percent, and keep the temperature at 60 degrees or

above. That's critical in a finished basement that's frequently

occupied, May said. ``It should be illegal to have a finished

basement without a dehumidifier,'' he said.

Carpet in basements frequently harbors mold, since moisture

condenses on the cold floor. Consider a hard floor with an area rug

instead.

Even something as simple as regular cleaning helps prevent mold

growth, since mold grows on dust, dirt and soap residue.

Q: How do I know I have a mold problem?

A: Mold can be hard to detect, because it often hides where we can't

see it.

A moldy smell is a tipoff, although you can have mold without the

odor. Unexplained respiratory symptoms are another clue,

particularly if they go away when the affected person leaves for an

extended period.

Suspect mold in any house that's had a leak or flood, particularly

if the problem wasn't remedied and the area dried out promptly.

An older home is more likely than a newer one to have mold, simply

because the probability of leaks and other problems increases with

age, Godish said.

Q: What should I do if I suspect I have a mold problem?

A: Have an inspection done and the air in your house tested to find

out whether a problem exists. Expect to pay $100 to $250 for an

inspection, Sill said.

An inspection may not be necessary if the source of the mold is

obvious, he said.

If the inspection shows you do have a problem, multiple samples will

often be required to determine the source. Those samples need to be

analyzed by a laboratory, so they aren't cheap -- about $75 each,

Sill said.

Mold inspectors and remediation specialists are not all equally

qualified, so May suggested finding someone certified by one of the

following institutions: ACGIH Professional Learning Center in

Cincinnati; the Indoor Air Quality Association in Rockville, Md.;

MidAtlantic Environmental Hygiene Resource Center in Cherry Hill,

N.J.; or Restoration Consultants in Sacramento, Calif.

Sill suggested getting two or three estimates from mold remediation

specialists. Avoid anyone who offers ozone-type products or promises

to get rid of all the mold in the house, he said.

Q: Can I remove the mold myself?

A: Maybe, if you have only a small amount of visible mold -- less

than 10 square feet -- and you know what you're doing, May said.

Nonporous surfaces can be cleaned with a solution of chlorine bleach

and water. But don't just spray the bleach solution on, Sill said;

apply it with a towel, so you don't leave excess moisture on the

surface to start the whole mold-growth process gain. Wear proper

gear to protect your skin and eyes.

After you've removed the mold, you can prevent a recurrence by

applying special bathroom paint formulated to prevent mildew growth.

Porous surfaces, such as insulation and drywall, need to be replaced