How to detect, solve and avoid mold and moisture problems

A common problem encountered during a renovation or home improvement project is the issue of mold. The question most homeowners and people in the market to buy a new home have is how to identify a mold or moisture issue, and how to deal with it.

Let’s first address the question of what is mold? Mold is a type of fungus which requires the existence of several factors in order to appear and propagate. The first is a source of moisture (this is why the presence of mold is a good indication of an underlying moisture or water infiltration problem). The second condition that must exist for mold to survive is the presence of a food source, notably organic carbon-based materials, such as wood studs, the cardboard backing of drywall, sawdust, some types of insulation, leather, wallpaper, carpet, etc. Thirdly, for most molds that are a problem in homes and businesses, there must be a certain degree of warmth.

In order to propagate, molds emit spores, which are microscopic particles, into the air. For these spores to grow, they require the presence of the conditions mentioned above. In most cases, it is the spores emitted by the mold, rather than the mold itself, which present a health hazard to humans living in spaces where mold growth is a problem. Nevertheless, touching mold can also be a health hazard, especially to people predisposed to health problems, and handling mold should always be done using the personal protection safety features described below, or better still, by a mold remediation specialist when in doubt.

Molds are common everywhere, and are in fact an inextricable and valuable part of the ecosystem. In every breath we breathe, there are mold spores to a greater or lesser degree. In fact, there are more than 150 types of mold that can grow in your home! They come in all colors and appearances. The dangers presented by molds are directly proportional to the quantities of mold and concentration of the mold spores; the type, duration and frequency of exposure; and the living conditions in which you are exposed to mold and mold spores. Close, unventilated or poorly ventilated, humid spaces are ideal for mold growth and propagation, and humans living in these spaces are more prone to the negative health affects caused by mold in these areas. However, even spaces adjacent or removed from the mold infected areas can present health hazards via ventilation systems, or natural air currents, which bring the human occupants into contact with particles of the mold or mold spores.

The presence of most types of mold can readily be detected by sight or smell. Signatures of the presence of mold are dark stains, or discolorations, splotchy patches of black, brown or other color substance on surfaces, and a musty, earthy smell, some liken to wet mushrooms. For the typical homeowner or renovator however, correctly identifying the type of mold present is not possible. Many molds present the same appearance on visual inspection, but differ radically under the microscope and as to their various toxinogenic properties. The only way to correctly identify the type of mold you have is to have a mold remediation specialist take samples from your home and analyze the results in the laboratory. Alternatively, adhering to the personal protection safety procedures below, you can purchase mold testing kits, take samples and send them to a laboratory to have them tested. However, in most cases, and when the mold problem is relatively confined to a small area (typically under 10 square feet), the question isn’t what type of mold it is (though some molds are more toxic than others, and if the problem is widespread, by all means spend the money to have a professional mold remediation company do the work). The question really is how to get rid of it and the underlying causes that promote mold growth.

All molds should be treated with the same respect, and appropriate precautions taken for their removal. The good news is that most mold problems can be dealt with directly by the homeowner of renovation specialist, with little effort and some easily available and low-cost equipment. As indicated previously however, if the mold problem is widespread, or the homeowner or renovator are allergy-prone or immuno-suppressed, or otherwise fragile health-wise, it is advisable to contact your local mold removal specialist and let them deal with the problem.

Removing mold can be as simple as washing the surface down with a mixture of water and household detergent (Health Canada recommends dish detergent). Bleach is typically not necessary, nor is it any longer the recommended form of remediation by the homeowner. Dry the area thoroughly and repeat in 24 hours or so if required (always better to check the area again after it has dried and if in doubt, repeat procedure). Always wear a hat, non-porous gloves, non-slip shoes or work boots, a high-quality facemask, protective eyewear and a long sleeved shirt and long pants when removing mold. Do not reuse but dispose of the rags that you used to clean the mold.

Again, if you are unsure about the safety measures to be taken, or feel uneasy about the possibility of coming in contact with a more toxic form of mold, call a specialist, or you can also purchase a mold sample and testing kit and send the samples to be tested in a laboratory before deciding to do the mold removal your self.

Mold needs water and moisture to survive. So just as important as removing the mold is correcting the underlying water and moisture issues that are the cause of the mold. Below is a list of some of the things you should do to avoid having mold and mold related problems in your home:

· Check for leaks and water infiltration around windows, doors and in the basement, at the junction of the sill plate and foundation wall, at the base of the foundation wall, in the ceilings under the roof and bathrooms, and repair them.
· Do an air sealing review of your home and air seal all air entry points (see my upcoming blog on air sealing coming soon).
· Repair any leaky pipes or drains.
· Remove clutter and unnecessary sources of humidity and moisture retention like paper and cardboard boxes (replace these with the relatively cheap plastic storage boxes available in most hardware and materials supply stores).
· Install and use exhaust fans in your kitchen, laundry room and bathrooms (note for the laundry room, make sure you have enough make up air for your dryer to function normally and safely when exhausting air from the laundry room).
· Do not use rubber backed or foam-backed floor mats in the bathroom or in the laundry room, as these can keep wet for long periods of time and hold moisture against the floor almost indefinitely – opt instead for 100% cotton bathroom floor mats that can be washed regularly at home. Do not leave bathroom floor mats on the floor, but hang to dry after showering or bathing.
· Properly vent your dryer to the outside, and leave the door of your washing machine open during uses to dry out.
· Occasionally open windows and doors to ventilate your home or office (when the air and relative humidity outside are dry, otherwise you may be letting in more humidity and moisture rather than evacuating it!)
· Check often for proper sealing around your tub, in the shower, and around sinks to avoid moisture getting inside walls, and replace caulking when discolored, dry or peeling.
· Mop up water spills and dry out affected materials and surfaces immediately and thoroughly.
· Generally, regularly clean and maintain your home to avoid the build up of dust and to facilitate the detection of moisture related problems such as mold!

Visit us at www.contractormontreal.com to find out how we can assist you in all your renovation and construction needs.

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