What is mold?

Mold is part of the natural process of decay and renewal. It will begin to digest nearly anything under the right conditions. Building materials offer appealing food.

The main requirement for mold growth is the presence of moisture for over 48 hours. If the water content in building materials reaches 19% for two days mold growth and decay will begin.

Molds can cause extreme health problems including death. Testing for mold is not a usual part of a home inspection. Only a trained licensed professional should provide Indoor Air Quality Testing that samples the air you breath and identifies molds and other pollutants. Wes-Tech Environmental offers EPA approved testing protocols for mold testing and inspection as appropriate for the situation.

Listed below are the 10 most important things you should know about mold.

• Potential health effects and symptoms associated with mold exposures include allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory complaints.
• There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment. The way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.
• If mold is a problem in your home or school, you must clean up the mold and eliminate sources of moisture.
• Fix the source of the water problem or leak to prevent mold growth.
• Reduce indoor humidity (to 30-60%) to decrease mold growth by: venting bathrooms, dryers, and other moisture-generating sources to the outside; using air conditioners and de-humidifiers; increasing ventilation; and using exhaust fans whenever cooking, dishwashing and cleaning.
• Clean and dry any damp or wet building materials and furnishings within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.
• Clean mold off hard surfaces with water and detergent, and dry completely. Absorbent materials, such as ceiling tiles that are moldy, may need to be replaced.
• Prevent condensation. Reduce the potential for condensation on cold surfaces (i.e., windows, piping, exterior walls, roof or floors) by adding insulation.
• In areas where there is a perpetual moisture problem, do not install carpeting (i.e., by drinking fountains, by classroom sinks, or on concrete floors with leaks or frequent condensation).
• Molds can be found almost anywhere. They can grow on virtually any substance, providing moisture is present. There are molds that can grow on wood, paper, carpet and foods.