How do I know if I have mold in my home?

Mold spores can be present without the appearance of visible mold. It requires moisture to survive, so it is often found in areas with water damage or excessive humidity. To the unaided eye, mold has a variety of appearances: fuzzy, velvety, wet, dry, powdery, and so on. It can appear as black stains or patches of white, yellow, green, brown, black, gray, or even pink.

The following are signs you may have a mold problem:

• If there has been a fire or flood in the dwelling
  
• A musty or mildew type of smell
  
• Black speckled walls or areas around any plumbing fixtures
  
• A leaky roof
  
• Water stained walls or ceilings
  
• Sudden respiratory problems or complaints of ill health
  
• Swollen walls or floor boards which may have lifted
  
• Visible mold growth
  
• Where does mold hide?
  

Mold spores can essentially be found in all homes and offices, and grow rapidly from excess moisture. Mold generally grows in dark and damp places like behind walls, where pipes have leaked or in basements and attics. These are places where mold seems to be lurking:

• Inside walls
  
• Under carpeting and pad
  
• In wall board
  
• In insulation
  
• Behind ceramic tile
  
• Under sink bases
  
• On plasterboard
  
• On wood
  
• Behind wallpaper
  
• In/on/behind ceiling tiles
  
• In air ducts
  
• Under imitation hardwood flooring
  
• ANY place where there is little or no air movement
  
  Basements and crawl spaces are one of the most common areas for mold to grow. It is important for basements to have at least one dehumidifier. Set the unit to the 50% mark, and it will remove excess moisture from the air. The units shut off automatically to adjust to the humidity setting. Be sure to check and empty the drain pan periodically. Running a line from the drain pan on the dehumidifier to a sump pump crock is another option for drainage. Finished basements with drywall are also subject to mold damage. Framing should be built approximately six inches from your exterior wall and the frame of the finished wall. If the carpet, pad or drywall gets wet, it must be dried within 48 to 72 hours. If not properly dried and treated within that time frame, the risk of bacteria and mold growth increases substantially.

How quickly does mold grow?

Mold can destroy whatever it grows on, and can take hold in as little as 24-48 hours when food, moisture, and the right temperature are present. Mold colonization depends on type, and can occur in 1 – 12 days. It is essential to act immediately to resolve since spores surround us and are carried from place to place by air currents and ventilation equipment.

 

What about new homes?

Older homes are not the only ones affected by mold. New builds frequently come equipped with their own mold issues. Moldy building materials are received from the builder’s supplier, and these moldy materials can pass through quality control checks and built into the structure. The inventory of materials is usually left on outside ground, with no plastic sheeting to protect it from the elements (i.e. snow, rain, etc.). Some crews neglect to cover the structure under construction at the end of each day, again exposing wood and materials to rain. Roof and side walls should be protected by plastic barrier until roof, siding, windows, and doors are totally installed.

Builders may fail to inspect and test the home during and at the home’s completion for presence of mold. New builds also use modern materials such as chip wafer board, drywall and plywood, all of which are favorite “foods” for mold.

Why do I have mold in my home?

Molds can be found everywhere, naturally. The spores can enter your home or office through open doorways, windows, and HVAC systems. The following conditions are necessary for mold growth to occur on surfaces:

• presence of mold spores
  
• temperature between 40F and 100F
  
• nutrient base (most surfaces contain nutrients)
  
• moisture
  
  
  Mold growth does NOT require presence of standing water; it can occur when high relative humidity or the tendency to absorb and retain moisture of building surfaces allow sufficient moisture to accumulate. Water dripping unknowingly in a wall or unoccupied unit can cause major damage to contents and structure. Even if the source of moisture has been fixed, it does not mean mold growth has stopped. It can survive for a long time without moisture. The mold will go into a dormant state, essentially “going to sleep.” Nutrients that mold feeds from include wet cellulose materials (paper/paper products), sheetrock, adhesives, cardboard, ceiling tiles, wood/wood products, and other fibrous materials. Other items that support mold growth are dust, paints, wallpaper, carpet, fabric, and upholstery.

Some common causes of mold:

• Leaky plumbing
  
• Poor construction
  
• Building structures are too tightly sealed, air-tight
  
• Leaky roofing material
  
• Condensation from improperly installed air conditioning units
  
• Improperly routed vents
  
• Faulty grading around foundation
  
• Clogged gutters
  
• Improperly installed down spouts
  
• Compacted Insulation in attic
  
• How does mold affect health?
  
  

While not all molds are harmful to humans, it is possible that a number of health problems that people experience in homes, schools, and offices could be related to toxic mold. This assessment is difficult to make, as any given individual may not be able to see or smell a dangerous mycotoxin. Finding a link between mold and illness is tricky because different mycotoxins affect different people in different ways. Some people experience immediate reactions, whereas others may not notice or exhibit symptoms for weeks after exposure.

Exposure to mold is not healthy for anyone, but the following individuals are at a higher risk for adverse health effects: infants, children, elderly, immune-compromised patients, pregnant women, and individuals with existing respiratory conditions. Molds may cause a wide range of health problems when inhaled, even in small amounts.

The most common symptoms are: respiratory problems (wheezing/coughing), nasal and sinus congestion, watery and red eyes, nose and throat irritation, skin irritation and rashes, headaches, fevers, nosebleeds, extreme fatigue, memory loss, dizziness, intestinal distress, and aggravation of asthma.

Molds that produce mycotoxins cause symptoms far worse than sneezing and itchy eyes. One type of mold, Stachybotros Chartarum, produces a mycotoxin that can cause serious illness in adults and can be fatal to infants.

p.s. pets may also exhibit symptoms of exposure

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