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Mould Basics
· The key to mould control is moisture control.
· If mould is a problem in your home, clean up the mould promptly and fix the water problem.
· It is important to dry water-damaged areas and
items within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mould growth.
Why is mould growing in my home?
Moulds are part of the natural
environment. Outdoors, moulds play a part in nature by breaking down dead
organic matter, such as fallen leaves and dead trees. But indoors, mould growth
should be avoided. Moulds reproduce through tiny spores; the spores
are invisible to the naked eye and float through outdoor and indoor air. Mould may grow indoors when mould spores land on surfaces that are wet. There are many types of mould, and none of them will grow without water
or moisture.
Can mould cause health problems?
Moulds are usually not a problem
indoors, unless mould spores land on a wet or damp spot and begin growing. Moulds have the potential to cause health problems. Moulds produce
allergens (substances that can cause allergic reactions), irritants and, sometimes, potentially toxic substances (mycotoxins). Inhaling or
touching mould or mould spores may cause allergic reactions to sensitive
individuals. Allergic responses include hay fever-type symptoms, such as
sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash (dermatitis). Allergic
reactions to mould are common. They can be immediate or delayed. Moulds
can also cause asthma attacks in people with asthma who are allergic to mould. In addition, mould exposure can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs of both mould-allergic and non-allergic people. Symptoms other than
the allergic and irritant types are not commonly reported because of inhaling mould. Research on mould and health effects is ongoing. This article provides a overview; it does not describe all
potential health effects related to mould exposure. For more detailed
information, consult a health professional. You may also wish to consult
your state or local health department.
How do I get rid of mould?
It is impossible to get rid of
all mould and mould spores indoors. Some mould spores will be found
floating through the air and in house dust. Mould spores will not grow if
moisture is not present. Indoor mould growth can and should be prevented
or controlled by controlling moisture indoors. If there is mould growth in your
home, you must clean up the mould and fix the water problem. If you clean up
the mould but don't fix the water problem, most likely, the mould problem
will recur.
Who should do the cleanup?
· This depends on several factors. One
consideration is the size of the mould problem. If the mouldy area is
less than about 10 square feet (less than roughly a 3-foot by 3-foot patch), in
most cases, you can handle the job yourself, following the guidelines below.
· If there has been a lot of water damage, and/or mould
growth covers over 10 square feet, consult with an InterNACHI inspector.
· If you choose to hire a contractor (or other
professional service provider) to do the cleanup, make sure the contractor has
experience cleaning up mould. Check references and ask the contractor to
follow the recommendations of the EPA, the guidelines of the American
Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygenists (ACGIH), or other guidelines
from professional or government organizations.
· Do not run the HVAC system if you know or
suspect that it is contaminated with mould. This could spread mould
throughout the building.
· If the water and/or mould damage was caused by
sewage or other contaminated water, then call in a professional who has
experience cleaning and fixing buildings damaged by contaminated water.
· If you have health concerns, consult a health
professional before starting cleanup.
Tips and Techniques
The tips and techniques presented
in this section will help you clean up your mould problem. Professional
cleaners or remediators may use methods not covered here. Please note
that mould may cause staining and cosmetic damage. It may not be possible
to clean an item so that its original appearance is restored.
· Fix plumbing leaks and other water problems as
soon as possible. Dry all items completely.
· Scrub mould off hard surfaces with detergent and
water, and dry completely.
· Absorbent or porous materials, such as ceiling
tiles and carpet, may have to be thrown away if they become mouldy. Mould can
grow on or fill in the empty spaces and crevices of porous materials, so the mould
may be difficult or impossible to expunge.
· Avoid exposing yourself or others to mould.
· Do not paint or caulk mouldy surfaces.
· Clean up the mould and dry the surfaces before
painting. Paint applied over mouldy surfaces is likely to peel. If you
are unsure about how to clean an item, or if the item is expensive or of sentimental
value, you may wish to consult a specialist. Specialists in furniture repair
and restoration, painting and art restoration and conservation, carpet and rug
cleaning, water damage, and fire or water restoration are commonly listed in
phone books. Be sure to ask for and check references. Look for specialists who
are affiliated with professional organizations.
What to Wear When Cleaning Mouldy Areas:
· Avoid breathing in mould or mould spores.
In order to limit your exposure to airborne mould, wear an
N-95 respirator, available at many hardware stores and from companies that
advertise on the Internet. Some N-95 respirators resemble a paper dust mask
with a nozzle on the front, and others are made primarily of plastic or
rubber and have removable cartridges that trap and prevent most of the mould
spores from entering. In order to be effective, the respirator or mask
must fit properly, so carefully follow the instructions supplied with the
respirator. Please note that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA) requires that respirators fit properly (via fit testing) when used in an
occupational setting.
· Wear gloves. Long gloves that extend to the
middle of the forearm are recommended. When working with water and a mild
detergent, ordinary household rubber gloves may be used. If you are using
a disinfectant, a biocide such as chlorine bleach, or a strong cleaning
solution, select gloves made from natural rubber, neoprene, nitrile,
polyurethane or PVC. Avoid touching mould or mouldy items with your bare
hands.
· Wear goggles. Goggles that do not have
ventilation holes are recommended. Avoid getting mould or mould spores in your
eyes.
How do I know when the remediation or cleanup is finished?
· You must have completely fixed the water or
moisture problem before the cleanup or remediation can be finished,
based on the following guidelines:
· You should have completed the mould
removal. Visible mould and mouldy odors should not be present. Please note that mould may cause staining and cosmetic damage.
· You should have revisited the site(s) shortly
after cleanup, and it should show no signs of water damage or mould
growth.
· People should have been able to occupy or
re-occupy the area without health complaints or physical symptoms.
· Ultimately, this is a judgment call; there is no straightforward answer. If you have concerns or questions, be sure to ask your InterNACHI
inspector during your next scheduled inspection.
Moisture and Mould Prevention and Control Tips
Moisture control is the key to mould control, so when water
leaks or spills occur indoors, ACT QUICKLY. If wet or damp materials or
areas are dried within 24 to 48 hours after a leak or spill happens, in most
cases, mould will not grow.
· Clean and repair roof gutters regularly.
· Make sure the ground slopes away from the
building's foundation so that water does not enter or collect around the
foundation.
· Keep air-conditioning drip pans clean and the
drain lines unobstructed and flowing properly.
· Keep indoor humidity low. If possible,
keep indoor humidity below 60% relative humidity (ideally, between 30% to 50%). Relative humidity can be measured with a moisture or humidity meter,
which is a small, inexpensive instrument that is available at many hardware
stores.
· If you see condensation or moisture collecting
on windows, walls or pipes, ACT QUICKLY to dry the wet surface and reduce the
moisture/water source. Condensation can be a sign of high humidity.
Actions that will help to reduce humidity:
· Vent appliances that produce moisture, such as
clothes dryers, stoves, and kerosene heaters, to the outdoors, where
possible. (Combustion appliances, such as stoves and kerosene heaters,
produce water vapor and will increase the humidity unless vented to the
outside.)
· Use air conditioners and/or de-humidifiers when
needed.
· Run the bathroom fan or open the window when
showering. Use exhaust fans or open windows whenever cooking, running the
dishwasher or dishwashing, etc.
Actions that will help prevent condensation:
· Reduce the humidity (see above).
· Increase ventilation and air movement by
opening doors and/or windows, when practical. Use fans as needed.
· Cover icy surfaces, such as cold-water pipes,
with insulation.
· Increase air temperature.
Testing or Sampling for Mould
Is sampling for mould needed? In most cases, if visible mould growth is present, sampling is
unnecessary. Since no EPA or other federal limits have been set for mould
or mould spores, sampling cannot be used to check a building's compliance with
federal mould standards. Surface sampling may be useful to determine if
an area has been adequately cleaned or remediated. Sampling for mould
should be conducted by professionals who have specific experience in designing mould
sampling protocols, sampling methods, and interpreting results. Sample
analysis should follow analytical methods recommended by the American
Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), the American Conference of Governmental Industrial
Hygienists (ACGIH), or other professional organizations.
Suspicion of Hidden Mould
You may suspect hidden mould if a
building smells mouldy, but you cannot see the source, or if you know there has
been water damage and residents are reporting health problems. Mould may hide in places such as the backside of dry wall, wallpaper or paneling, the topside
of ceiling tiles, or the underside of carpets and pads, etc. Other locations of hidden mould include areas inside walls around pipes (with leaking
or condensing pipes), the surface of walls behind furniture (where condensation
forms), inside ductwork, and in roof materials above ceiling tiles (due to roof
leaks or insufficient insulation).
Investigating Hidden Mould Problems
Investigating hidden mould
problems may be difficult and will require caution when the investigation
involves disturbing potential sites of mould growth. For example, removal of
wallpaper can lead to a massive release of spores if there is mould growing on
the underside of the paper. If you believe that you may have a hidden mould
problem, consider hiring an experienced professional.
Cleanup and Biocides
Biocides are substances that can
destroy living organisms. Using a chemical or biocide that kills organisms
such as mould (chlorine bleach, for example) is not recommended as a routine
practice during mould cleanup. There may be instances, however, when professional judgment may show its use (for example, when
immune-compromised individuals are present). In most cases, it is not desirable to sterilize an area; a background level of mould spores will
remain, and these spores will not grow if the moisture problem has been
resolved. If you choose to use disinfectants or biocides, always ventilate the
area and exhaust the air to the outdoors. Never mix chlorine bleach with other
cleaning solutions or detergents that contain ammonia because toxic fumes could
be produced.
Please note: Dead mould
may still cause allergic reactions in some people, so it is not enough to
simply kill the mould; it must also be removed.
Ten Things You Should Know About Mould
1. Potential
health effects and symptoms associated with mould exposure include allergic
reactions, asthma, and other respiratory complaints.
2. There
is no practical way to eliminate all mould and mould spores in the indoor
environment; the way to control indoor mould growth is to control moisture.
3. If
mould is a problem in your home, you must clean up the mould and eliminate
sources of moisture.
4. Fix
the source of the water problem or leak to prevent mould growth.
5. Reduce
indoor humidity (to 30% to 60%) to decrease mould growth by:
a. venting
bathrooms, dryers, and other moisture-generating sources to the outside.
b. using
air conditioners and de-humidifiers.
c. increasing
ventilation; and
d. using
exhaust fans whenever cooking, dishwashing, and cleaning.
6. Clean
and dry any damp or wet building materials and furnishings within 24 to 48
hours to prevent mould growth.
7. Clean
mould off hard surfaces with water and detergent, and dry completely. Absorbent
materials that are mouldy (such as carpeting and ceiling tiles) may need to be
replaced.
8. Prevent
condensation. Reduce the potential for condensation on cold surfaces
(i.e., windows, piping, exterior walls, roof, and floors) by adding
insulation.
9. In
areas where there is a perpetual moisture problem, do not install carpeting.
10. Moulds
can be found almost anywhere; they can grow on virtually any substance,
provided moisture is present. There are moulds that can grow on wood, paper,
carpet, and foods.
Article used by permission. InterNACHI's archive.
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