Right steps needed to break your home's mold problem

Last Wednesday, I received at least 10 calls from area residents asking about an article written on mold. Most of the callers wanted to know if the solution mixture would in fact cure fungal problems within the home.

To be honest, acid-based solutions will feed some types of fungal (mold) growth. Think about it for just a moment, fungus grows rapidly on fruits (oranges, lemons, grapefruits, etc.) Fungus grows rapidly on wet sap intensive woods, cellulose materials, natural fibers, etc. All of the above are acid-based materials. Fungus (mold) hates alkaline based products, e.g. bleach, ammonia, etc. That’s why hospitals clean with ammonia-based products. Vinegar is a mild acid-based solution.

Frequently my company is called to inspect a home because the family has headaches, runny noses, eye dryness and irritation, nose bleeds, coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, and sneezing. After further investigation it is determined that they have a tenacious mold problem that has developed in one or more room of their home

Mold invades attic spaces, climbs up bathroom walls, invades carpets, infests and sets up house in drywall. The Center for Disease Control indicated there are six different types of mold that live in homes and of those three produce toxins that are harmful to humans. CDC has linked one (Stachybotrys atra) in particular that has produced lung disorders in small children and the elderly. It’s almost impossible for the home owner to tell between a fungus (mold) that produce harmful toxins and the ones that don’t.

In small quantities surface (topical) mold can be cleaned up with regular household bleach and Dawn dish soap. I recommend Dawn because it has a heavy surfactant which lifts dirt and debris off the surface that is being cleaned. Actually most of us don’t realize that the mold we just cleaned up produced toxins; primarily because we didn’t allow it to get big enough to become a problem. For mold to grow it has to have four things; moisture, heat, a food source and time. If the conditions are right, mold will start colonization within 24 to 48 hours. Mold likes humidity levels to be between 50 percent and 60 percent in the home. The humidity can be reduced by using a dehumidifier; however, you must have circulating air flow in order for the dehumidifier to work properly. A circulating fan can be used to create air movement.

Regardless of the type of mold that has invaded your home, your safety depends on the size of the colony. If the black mass is less that three-foot square you can probably take care of it yourself with bleach and Dawn. Larger infestation indicates that you have gross colonization and a temediation contractor should be called to assist you with the problem. When mold is touched it releases mold spores — not dust. When taking a particle count, one inch of mold can spew more than 50,000 spores into the air causing further infestation of the home.

n Testing for mold:

Generally, it is not necessary to identify the specific species of mold growing in a home, and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) does not recommend routine sampling. If sampling must be done it is usually done in three (3) ways: Air sampling for airborne spores, swab sampling, and adhesive tape sampling for spores that have settled on vertical and horizontal surfaces.

n Prevention methods:

1. As a part of routine building maintenance, buildings should be inspected for evidence of water leaks and visible mold.

2. Conditions causing mold must be corrected immediately.

3. Keep humidity levels in the home between 40 percent and 50 percent.

4. Make sure there is adequate ventilation, including exhaust fans in kitchen and bathroom.

5. Do not carpet bathrooms.

6. Dry or remove flooded carpets immediately because mold starts to colonize within 24 to 48 hours.

When cleaning with any cleaning product, always wear eye protection and rubber gloves to protect your hands. If you would like to share a cleaning idea or concept with the reading audience, call Ed at NWES (255-2266), e-mail them to nwees@hughes.net or send them to Bonner County Daily Bee, 310 Church St., Sandpoint, ID 83864, Attn: What Would Ed Do? For more information about Ed, check him out at www.nwees.com.

Copy written by Edmond E. Madan, certified indoor environmental professional and forensic, fire, flood, mold inspection and remediation/restoration contractor. Ed is the president of Northwest Environmental Services, Inc.