What kind is It?

Mold found in a home often appears as black or gray sooty patches. Most of the time, it is common mold.   However, sometimes it is toxic and can cause a serious illness, such as, cancer.  Only laboratory testing can distinguish between the two.

Where is Mold Found?

There are many locations in a home which provide an ideal environment for the growth of mold.  Typically these include: leaky or broken pipes, windows and doors which lack good seals, moist or leaky roofs, and cracks or holes in the exterior building envelope. If flooding has recently occurred in a home, wet or damp areas are an open invitation for the development of mold. High humidity which is commonly found in moist bath rooms and basements can also promote the growth of mold.

How Do I Test For It?

If you think you might have mold growing in your house,  take the conservative approach and have it tested.  For a mold test, we come out to your house, take a sample, and send it off to a laboratory for analysis.  Then, in a few days, you will receive a report.  If the sample contains mold, it will be identified as to its genus and species.

Remember, at this time, there are no federal regulations which mandate the identification and removal of household mold.   Your course of action therefore,  is largely up to you.  Your overall safety depends upon the type of mold, the extent of mold present in the home and your individual level of sensitivity. 

How Can I Remove It?

Common Mold:  Small patches of common mold on walls or floors can be removed manually.  First, protect yourself with eye wear, rubber gloves and a carbon filter respirator.  Next, using a dilute solution of one cup chlorine bleach in one gallon of water, simply scrub the affected area with a sponge. Avoid scraping dried mold as this may release toxin-carrying spores into the air. Note: discard any insulation, gypsum wall board or carpet containing two or more square feet of mold.   Replace these contaminated building products with non-cellulose and low-nitrogen based products. 

Toxic Mold:  If the mold has been tested and identified as  toxic, or if the quantity of mold is extensive, removal or remediation should be done by certified professionals..  Mold remediation involves first isolating the room in question with plastic barriers. Then, special equipment is set up to provide both continual air filtration and constant monitoring of air quality during removal.

For Further Information:

www.moldlab.com

http://microfungi.truman.edu       

www.erraonline.org/mold.htm