Moisture control
is the key to mold control!
Moisture Control
Water in your home can come from
many sources. Water can enter your home by leaking or by seeping through
basement floors. Showers or even cooking can add moisture to the air in your
home. The amount of moisture that the air in your home can hold depends on the
temperature of the air. As the temperature goes down, the air is able to hold
less moisture. This is why, in cold weather, moisture condenses on cold surfaces
(for example, drops of water form on the inside of a window). This moisture can
encourage biological pollutants to grow.
A moisture meter like the one
above can help find out if potentially damaging excess moisture is present . Use
it to test hard or soft wood, concrete, plaster, carpet & more to determine the
extent of moisture problems. Locate and trace roof leaks & water seepage; assess
the extent of wet rot & hidden condensation.
There are many ways to control
moisture in your home:
-
Fix leaks and seepage. If
water is entering the house from the outside, your options range from simple
landscaping to extensive excavation and waterproofing. (The ground should
slope away from the house.) Water in the basement can result from the lack
of gutters or a water flow toward the house. Water leaks in pipes or around
tubs and sinks can provide a place for biological pollutants to grow.
-
Put a plastic cover over
dirt in crawlspaces to prevent moisture from coming in from the ground. Be
sure crawlspaces are well-ventilated.
-
Use exhaust fans in
bathrooms and kitchens to remove moisture to the outside (not into the
attic). Vent your clothes dryer to the outside.
-
Turn off certain appliances
(such as humidifiers or kerosene heaters) if you notice moisture on windows
and other surfaces.
-
Use dehumidifiers and air
conditioners, especially in hot, humid climates, to reduce moisture in the
air, but be sure that the appliances themselves don't become sources of
biological pollutants.
-
Raise the temperature of
cold surfaces where moisture condenses. Use insulation or storm windows. (A
storm window installed on the inside works better than one installed on the
outside.) Open doors between rooms (especially doors to closets which may be
colder than the rooms) to increase circulation. Circulation carries heat to
the cold surfaces. Increase air circulation by using fans and by moving
furniture from wall corners to promote air and heat circulation. Be sure
that your house has a source of fresh air and can expel excessive moisture
from the home.
-
Pay special attention to
carpet on concrete floors. Carpet can absorb moisture and serve as a place
for biological pollutants to grow. Use area rugs which can be taken up and
washed often. In certain climates, if carpet is to be installed over a
concrete floor, it may be necessary to use a vapor barrier (plastic
sheeting) over the concrete and cover that with sub-flooring (insulation
covered with plywood) to prevent a moisture problem.
-
Moisture problems and their
solutions differ from one climate to another. The Northeast is cold and wet;
the Southwest is hot and dry; the South is hot and wet; and the Western
Mountain states are cold and dry. All of these regions can have moisture
problems. For example, evaporative coolers used in the Southwest can
encourage the growth of biological pollutants. In other hot regions, the use
of air conditioners which cool the air too quickly may prevent the air
conditioners from running long enough to remove excess moisture from the
air. The types of construction and weatherization for the different climates
can lead to different problems and solutions.
Should You Have the Air
Ducts in Your Home Cleaned? - (excerpt on duct cleaning and mold
follows, please review the entire document for additional information on duct
cleaning and mold).
You should consider having the
air ducts in your home cleaned if:
There is substantial visible
mold growth inside hard surface (e.g., sheet metal) ducts or on other components
of your heating and cooling system. There are several important points to
understand concerning mold detection in heating and cooling systems:
-
Many sections of your
heating and cooling system may not be accessible for a visible inspection,
so ask the service provider to show you any mold they say exists.
-
You should be aware that
although a substance may look like mold, a positive determination of whether
it is mold or not can be made only by an expert and may require laboratory
analysis for final confirmation. For about $50, some microbiology
laboratories can tell you whether a sample sent to them on a clear strip of
sticky household tape is mold or simply a substance that resembles it.
-
If you have insulated air
ducts and the insulation gets wet or moldy it cannot be effectively cleaned
and should be removed and replaced.
-
If the conditions causing
the mold growth in the first place are not corrected, mold growth will
recur.
Indoor Air Regulations &
Mold
Standards or Threshold Limit
Values (TLVs) for airborne concentrations of mold, or mold spores, have not
been set. Currently, there are no EPA regulations or standards for airborne
mold contaminants.
Mold Resources
Molds produce tiny spores to
reproduce. Mold spores waft through the indoor and outdoor air
continually. When mold spores land on a damp spot indoors, they may
begin growing and digesting whatever they are growing on in order to
survive. There are molds that can grow on wood, paper, carpet, and
foods. When excessive moisture or water accumulates indoors, mold
growth will often occur, particularly if the moisture problem
remains undiscovered or un-addressed. There is no practical way to
eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment; the
way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.
"A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your
Home" [EPA 402-K-02-003]
This Guide provides information and
guidance for homeowners and renters on how to clean up residential
mold problems and how to prevent mold growth. Molds can gradually
destroy the things they grow on. You can prevent damage to your home
and furnishings, save money, and avoid potential health problems by
controlling moisture and eliminating mold growth.
"Mold Remediation in Schools and
Commercial Buildings"
[EPA 402-K-01-001, March 2001]
Concern about indoor exposure to mold
has been increasing as the public becomes aware that exposure to
mold can cause a variety of health effects and symptoms, including
allergic reactions. This document presents guidelines for the
remediation/cleanup of mold and moisture problems in schools and
commercial buildings; these guidelines include measures designed to
protect the health of building occupants and remediators. It has
been designed primarily for building managers, custodians, and
others who are responsible for commercial building and school
maintenance. It should serve as a reference for potential mold and
moisture remediators. Using this document, individuals with little
or no experience with mold remediation should be able to make a
reasonable judgment as to whether the situation can be handled
in-house. It will help those in charge of maintenance to evaluate an
in-house remediation plan or a remediation plan submitted by an
outside contractor.
These and other indoor air quality
publications are available through the IAQ INFO Clearinghouse.
IAQ INFO
P.O. Box 37133, Washington, DC 20013-7133
1-800-438-4318/703-356-4020
(fax) 703-356-5386
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