Molds are everywhere, there is nowhere to hide. Air sample plates will prove to anyone, even those w...

1. Mold, Fungus and Mildew Control and Guidelines
Molds are everywhere, there is nowhere to hide. Air sample plates will prove to anyone, even those
without mold problems, that mold spores abound. No need to be afraid. Be prepared and armed with
knowledge! Mold principles,facts and some action plans follow.
How to Control Mold in the Home What to Do
All can take or have a mold and moisture survey of the home, inside and outside .
First, know what molds are their lifestyle and habitats, their lifestyle and habitats. Know how to
recognize them. That is an easy and important step. Click on the figures at the very bottom to
enlarge and view important views of mold. Remember mold colonies are typically round, fuzzy or
powdery and tend to discolor surfaces they are growing on or into.Survey with a notepad and pencil
or pen. Mark down each area as either OK or a problem.Begin with moisture-laden areas of your
home: bathrooms, attic, and basement.Remember: discolored areas on walls, tiles, and ceiling areas
suggest mold.If ceiling areas are discolored, mold may be infiltrating the tile, plaster or gypsum
material. Culprits are: clogged or leaking rain gutters, rotting soffits or roof leaks.Check basements,
especially walls, ceiling, floors, all furniture, books and papers. Basements, totally or partially
underground, are often a problem. Leakage from sewer lines, water lines and humidity condensation
on insulation, ceiling tiles, furniture, rugs, toys are important problems. Basement wood and plastic
surfaces may show greenish thin films of mold that resemble dust. Basement mold odors are a sure
sign of problems.The outside of the house is important. All water should drain away from the house
and have downspouts connected to drain tubes or channels. Homes without rain gutters, or leaf-
clogged gutters, will cause water to cascade onto the outside walls and seep down into the crawl
space or basement areas. The splashing water wets surfaces, mold spores germinate and mold
grows. When light conditions are favorable, a combination of algae and mold can be found on house
sidings, foundations, gutters and downspouts (click on figure below).Are downspouts disconnected,
separated or rotting out? Are gutters filled with leaves, rotting?Are there areas around the house
where the water can flow back toward the house, rather than away from the foundation and onto the
house proper and the crawl space or basement area?Mold Control and Removal Some Easy Steps
and Guidelines

2. There are easy and beneficial remediations that have big payback. Persons inexperienced with basic
procedures, or incapacitated, should hire reasonably-priced and bidded mold professionals to
perform all necessary work. Cleaning out rain gutters can be dangerous and involve health risks
such as broken legs and back injuries. Caution is always advised. Further, those with mold allergies
should not do mold cleanup activities.
Solve outside drainage issues. Make sure gravel and soil are added to cause all water to flow away
from the house. If absent, install rain gutters, if water accumulation around the foundation is an
obvious problem. Install drainage lines to catch downspout water and move it at least 30-50 feet
downhill from the house. French drains and catchbasins are useful.Make sure that sprinkler systems
and houses do not spray or leak onto the house.Appropriately pressure wash, with suitable certified
mold cleaners, to carefully kill and remove mold from paint surfaces around windows and
gutters.Dehumidifers in the basement are a must. Dehumidifers connected to a drain are better than
manual systems. Basements at 85% or higher humidity are a problem. Dehumidify to lower humidity
to 65-70%.Moldy items should be handled carefully before discard. An aerosolized anti-fungal spray
can be used to lightly mist the surfaces entirely and let dry. After 1-2 hr it can be misted again and
placed into the discard bag. In many cases with extensive mold professional should be called in. N95
masks, gloves, mold disinfectant aerosol, disposal bags are used to discard molded books, papers,
shoes, clothing, leather items. The briefcase pictured below is an example of an item that should be
sprayed over all surfaces and then discarded.Mold Control by Moisture Control Stops Mold Growth
Decrease the available moisture content inside and outside the home, direct and drain water away
from the house. Disinfect mold areas to kill spores and discard using N95 respirator, gloves,
goggles, protective clothing, discard bags and aerosol disinfectant. Call a professional to remove
major extensive mold contamination in wood, gypsum, carpet, ceilings, attics and crawl spaces.
Sources
Campbell, N.A., L.G. Mitchell, and J.B. Reece. 2000. Biology, Concepts and Connections. Addison
Wesley Longman, Inc. , San Francisco. 809pp
US Environmental Protection Agency. 2009. Mold Resources. epa.gov/iaq/molds/moldresources