Fighting Mold — The Homeowners' Guide Understanding mold -Mold can be harmful. -Mold needs moisture to grow. -Mold does not grow on dry materials. -Mold growing inside a home can affect the occupants. -Occupants can learn to recognize mold. What are molds? Molds are microscopic fungi, a group of organisms that also includes mushrooms and yeasts. Fungi are highly adapted to grow and reproduce rapidly, producing spores and mycelia in the process. You encounter mold every day. Foods spoil because of mold. Leaves decay and pieces of wood lying on the ground rot due to mold. That fuzzy black growth on wet window sills is mold. Paper or fabrics stored in a damp place get a musty smell that is due to the action of molds. Molds are undesirable when they grow where we don’t want them, such as in homes. Over 270 species of mold have been identified as living in Canadian homes. Molds that grow inside may be different from the ones found outdoors. What Makes Molds Grow? Molds will grow if we provide them with moisture and nutrients. If we keep things dry, molds do not grow. High moisture levels can be the result of water coming in from the outside, through the floor, walls or roof; or from plumbing leaks; or moisture produced by the people living in the home, through daily activities like bathing, washing clothes or cooking. Water enters the building when there is a weakness or failure in the structure. Moisture accumulates within the home when there is not enough ventilation to expel that moisture. Different kinds of molds grow on different materials. Certain kinds of molds like an extremely wet environment. Other kinds of molds may be growing even if no water can be seen. Dampness inside the material can be enough to allow them to grow. Why Are Molds A Concern? Damage to materials is one concern. Materials get stained or discolored, and over time they are ruined. Moldy paper and cardboard disintegrate over time. Fabrics are damaged. Continued mold growth can be indicative of moisture conditions favorable for growth of fungi that cause wood rot and structural damage. When molds are growing inside the home, there may be health concerns. Molds release chemicals and spores. Health experts indicate that, depending on the type of mold present in a home, the amount and degree of exposure, and the health condition of the occupant, the health effects of mold can range from being insignificant to causing allergic reactions and illness. Pregnant women, infants, the elderly and those with health problems, such as respiratory disease or a weakened immune system, are more at risk when exposed to mold. Consult your family physician if you believe there is someone who may be at risk. Is There A Mold Problem? Molds are always found in the air outside and in all buildings. They come into the home in many ways —through open windows or doors, on clothing, pets, food or furniture. The problem starts when mold grows inside the home. Some mold growing, for example on the window sill but not elsewhere, is not a cause of concern. You can clean the mold yourself. The presence of mold is a sign that there is too much moisture in your home, a situation that must be corrected. Inspect the home to find the extent of the mold. How Can You Tell If It Is Mold? Discoloration is a sign of mold. However, all discoloration is not due to mold. Carpeting near baseboards, for example, can be stained by outdoor pollution entering the home. The smoke may also cause stains or soot from burning candles or cigarettes. Mold may be any color: black, white, red, orange, yellow, blue or violet. Dab a drop of household bleach onto a suspected spot. If the stain loses its color or disappears, it may be mold. If there is no change, it probably isn't mold. Smell/odor sometimes molds are hidden and cannot be seen. A musty or earthy smell often indicates the presence of molds. But a smell may not be present for all molds. Even when you don't notice a smell, wet spots, dampness or evidence of a water leak are indications of moisture problems and mold may follow. How Much Mold Is Growing? One way to know is to estimate the area of the mold. Mold is considered to cover a “small area” if the patch is no larger than a square meter. There should be no more than three patches, each patch smaller than a square meter. Clean up small areas yourself using a detergent solution, household rubber gloves and a dust mask for protection. Small moldy areas in homes may become larger over time, if ignored, so it’s important to clean up and remove even small patches of mold. The mold area is considered “moderate” if there are more than three patches, each patch smaller than a square meter, or there is one or more isolated patches larger than a square meter but smaller than 3 square meters (size of a 4 x 8 foot sheet of plywood). Assessment by a professional is recommended. You can clean up moderate amounts of mold but you must follow the proper procedures and use the proper protective equipment. A mold area is considered “extensive” if a single patch of mold is larger in area than a sheet of plywood. Being exposed to this much mold is not a good idea. Do not attempt to clean up large areas of mold yourself. You need professional help to determine why the mold is there in the first place and how to clean it up. When Should You Seek Professional Help? You may need professional help when: -There is a lot of mold. -The home is very damp and moist. -Mold comes back after repeated cleaning. - A family member suffers from asthma or respiratory problems or other health problems that appear to be aggravated inside the home. Dealing With Mold Issues And Prevention 1.0 General Interior 1.1. Repair and/improve the building envelope is required if moisture is entering the home from the outside. At the same time, steps should be taken inside the home to reduce the occupants’ exposure to mold. 1.2. Discard moldy or damaged materials 1.3. Vacuum. Proper vacuuming reduces the amount of mold spores. All surfaces in the home (floors, walls, ceilings, shelves) and non-washable furnishings (such as sofas, chairs, etc.) must be vacuumed thoroughly. 1.4. Prevent. Keep moisture generated within the home to a minimum by conscientiously following the prevention steps presented in the next section. 1.5. Clear wet areas. Pull carpets and furnishings away from walls that get wet. Carpets and underpads that are moldy should be cut out and discarded. 1.6. Dry. Take steps to dry up areas that get wet. Monitor the relative humidity of the air. Use a portable dehumidifier, if necessary. Ensure that the condensate drain pan of the dehumidifier is emptied regularly. 1.7. Isolate. If the mold is limited to one area, isolate the area if possible. Cover the affected surfaces with plastic sheeting secured at the edges with duct tape. Note that this is only a temporary measure to minimize your exposure. 1.8. Clean. Healthy individuals can regularly clean “small” and “moderate” areas of mold, thus preventing these from getting out of hand, by following safety precautions and cleaning guidelines. 2.0. Laundry Areas 2.1. Check that your clothes dryer exhausts to the outside. 2.2. Remove lint every time you use the dryer. 2.3. Don’t hang-dry laundry indoors. 2.4. Dry your laundry tub and washing machine after you use them. 3.0. Bathrooms 3.1. Check the bathroom fan to make sure it exhausts to the outside. 3.2. Turn the bathroom fan on when you shower. Keep it running for a few minutes after you finish your shower. 3.3. Take short showers. 3.4. Keep surfaces that get wet, such as the walls around the bathtub and shower, clean and dry. 3.5. If there is a carpet in your bathroom, remove it. 3.6. Check for water leaks. 3.7. Keep drains in good shape by removing debris from them. 4.0. To Clean A Drain: 4.1. Pour a handful of baking soda into it. Add a cup of vinegar. Put the plug in the drain. Let the vinegar and baking soda work for about 20 minutes. Run fresh water into the drain. If the drain is still clogged, use a small plumbing snake. 5.0. Kitchen 5.1. If the fan over your stove exhausts outside, use it when you cook. 5.2. Minimize open boiling. 5.3. Keep your drains in good shape. Follow the steps in the bathrooms section above. 5.4. There’s a drip pan at the back of the refrigerator. Pull the refrigerator out to clean the drip pan. At the same time, vacuum dust from the coils at the back of the refrigerator. 5.5. Check under the kitchen sink to make sure there are no leaks. 5.6. Take out the garbage daily to prevent odors and spoiling. 6.0. Closets And Bedrooms 6.1. Get rid of clothes and other stored items that you don’t use. Keeping your closets and bedrooms tidy makes it easier for air to circulate  and harder for mold to grow. 7.0. Other Parts Of The Home 7.1. A dehumidifier helps to reduce moisture in the home during the warmer months. 7.2. Close the windows when the dehumidify is running. 7.3. When family and friends come into the home, have them take off their shoes. 7.4. Vacuum often. If you are buying a vacuum cleaner, try to get one with a HEPA filter. 7.5. Clean hard wood floors with a damp mop. 7.6. Do not bring in furniture, clothing, books etc. that have been stored in a moldy place into your home. 7.7. Cut down the number of potted plants in the house—soil is a good place for mold. 8.0. Exterior 8.1. Regularly check the condition of the roof and exterior finish for any places where water might enter. 8.2. Make sure that eavestroughs and downspouts are connected and working properly and that they are free of debris. 8.3. Install downspout extensions to lead water away from the building. Deal promptly with any problems that you find.