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Dealing with Mold
The Facts

In the last several years mold has caught our attention in the newspapers, on television and in magazines. It's been around for thousands of years - so what's the deal? Molds and mildew are found everywhere in our environment. It can grow virtually there is adequate moisture and a food source, such as wood, paper, dirt, drywall, wallpaper, carpet and fabrics. Depending on the type of mold or mildew it can be almost any color from black to white, pink to green. Common household molds include Cladosporium, Penicillium, Aspergillus, Alternaria and Mucor. No one knows how many species of mold exist, but there are always dozens of kinds of mold and mildew spores present at all times in the indoor and outdoor environment.

Mold and mildew can be very destructive to the materials on which they grow. They may cause staining, rotting of materials, and musty odors. When colonies of mold are extensive, they can produce enough spores and by-products (mycotoxins) to be harmful to health, causing irritation to the skin, eyes and respiratory tracts.

Where does mold grow?
Mold will grow in places where leaks or flooding have occurred: leaking pipes, toilets, dishwashers, water heaters, other appliances, or leaking roofs. Many building materials provide suitable nutrients that encourage mold growth. Materials such as dust, paints, wallpaper, insulation materials, drywall, carpet and upholstery, commonly support mold growth. Molds cannot grow on dry materials even if all other conditions are ideal for mold growth. Conversely, mold and mildew cannot be controlled where moist materials exist.

Mold can hide in many places in you home.
Take a look at the red Danger Zones in the image below.

How can I detect and prevent mold and mildew?
The easiest way to prevent the mold from gaining a foothold is to control dampness.

Detection - watch for

	Moisture condensation on windows or around doors
	Cracking of plasterboard
	Peeling or cracking paint
	Drywall tape loosening
	Wood warping
	Musty odor
	Increase in water bills without justification

Prevention

	Keep humidity levels below 40% and ventilating showers, cooking areas and clothes dryer vents can slow mold growth. Other ways to slow mold growth are:
	Use an air conditioner or a dehumidifier during humid months.
	Add mold inhibitors to paints before application.
	Clean bathrooms with mold killing products.
	Do not carpet bathrooms, laundry rooms or other areas, which frequently get wet.
	Remove or replace previously soaked carpets, pads and upholstery.

How can I tell if there is mold in my home or building?

	Look for visible mold growth.
	Look for signs of excess moisture or water damage (water leaks, standing water, water stains, and/or condensation problems).
	Search behind and underneath materials (wallpaper, carpet and pad, sink cabinets), furniture, pictures or stored items.
	Check around heating and cooling appliances (air conditioners, evaporative coolers, furnaces) for standing water. Keep these clean and serviced regularly.
	Search areas with noticeable mold odors. If you can't see it but you can smell it, you can assume you have a mold problem.

How can I rid my home (office, workplace, building) of mold and mildew?
Determine where the excessive moisture is coming from, and correct the problem. After fixing the moisture problem the cleanup can begin. In many cases mold can be removed by a thorough cleaning with a household bleach solution (one-cup bleach to 9 cups water). But be careful - exposure to mold can occur during the cleaning stage. Mold counts are typically 10 to 100 times higher than background levels during the cleaning of mold damaged materials. If you have an extensive amount of mold and you don't think you can manage the cleanup on your own, you should contact a professional who has experience in cleaning mold in buildings and homes.

How can I determine if a remediation contractor is qualified?
Since there is the potential for high levels of mold to be released during removal, it is important to hire a qualified contractor. Asking questions such as the following can help save you time and money:

	What is the contractors prior experience?
	Will they provide references from their 25 most recent projects?
	How many projects have they completed which would be similar to what you need done?
	Do they have certified microbial remediation supervisors?
	Do they have Microbial Liability Insurance Coverage?
	Do they offer independent third-party testing?
	Are they licensed and bonded?

ERI has successfully completed over 400 microbial remediation/mold cleanup projects including schools, government agencies, medical facilities, commercial and industrial sites, and private residences, in just the last four years, with contracts totaling over $12,000,000. Contact ERI for more information.

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