Frequently Asked Questions

Mold (and mildew) are common terms for fungi that can grow in damp locations both indoors and outdoors. Molds are important microorganisms because they help break down dead plant and animal matter and recycle nutrients back into the environment. There are many kinds of molds, and mold growth can have many forms and colors. To grow and reproduce, mold only needs food — any organic matter, such as leaves, wood, paper, or even dust — and moisture. Organic matter is almost always available, so whether mold grows depends mostly on whether there is moisture. By fixing moisture problems, you can keep mold from growing in your home.

The presence of visible mold, visible moisture, water-damaged materials, or mold odor in a building is clearly linked to increased risk of various respiratory health effects. These health effects include asthma development, asthma exacerbation, allergies, respiratory infections, and a variety of upper and lower respiratory symptoms. The more extensive or severe the dampness and mold, the greater the risk of health effects. The health effects also depend on the susceptibility of the occupants. Speak to your doctor if you have concerns about the health effects of mold.

A doctor can test for and diagnose a small number of mold allergies. However, a person may have mold allergies for which there is no test. Also, molds can have health effects other than allergic reactions and can affect people who are not allergic. Still, it is a good idea to discuss your concerns with your healthcare provider.

Although any type of mold that you see or smell in your building is a risk to your health and should be fixed. The term “toxic mold” or more misleading term “black mold” is generally referring to those mold types which have the potentiality to produce mycotoxins through their metabolic process, most commonly Stachybotrys Chartarum. The mycotoxins are then found in the airborne mold spores and hyphal fragments which can then be inhaled or ingested. It should be noted that many types of molds common to indoor environments which have been subject to dampness or elevated humidity levels are black in color and the only viable method of identification is through laboratory analysis.

Mold or moisture problems may be visible or hidden. Visible areas can include surfaces in the building itself and contents within in the building. Examples of hidden problem areas include:

• beneath wallpaper, behind furniture, behind baseboards, inside wall & ceiling cavities, beneath floors, crawlspaces, and attics.

Signs of a mold or moisture problem in your home are:

• Water-stained, discolored, or moldy surfaces

• Water damage, such as warped floors, peeling or bubbled paint, or rotting wood

• Damp surfaces, including condensation on windows or walls

• An earthy, musty, or moldy smell

• People who are sensitive or allergic to mold have symptoms when they are in your home.

Excess moisture can come from either indoor or outdoor sources.

Indoor sources include:

• Leaking or burst pipes

• Insufficient venting where water is used (for example, bathrooms, laundry areas, and kitchens)

• Condensation on cold surfaces

Outdoor sources include:

• Water intrusion (leaky roofs, leaky windows) and flooding

• Outdoor surfaces that slope and drain water toward the home

• Sprinklers and downspouts directing water at the house

You are right not to ignore a musty/mold odor. Mold like odors are one of the best indicators of potential health risks from dampness or mold. An experienced hygienist can use moisture detection equipment to identify water damaged areas which may not be apparent and in many cases identify the source of the moisture intrusion and the mold odor. Thorough mold investigations may require some damage to building materials to find mold or dampness in hidden spaces.

If you are sensitive to mold or if the amount of mold is significant, consider having trained remediation professional do the work. An improper remediation can contaminate surrounding areas and result in airborne spores counts which can far surpass the initial levels present during the active growth stage. Use personal protective equipment, such as goggles, gloves, and an N-95 particulate respirator. A "dust mask" will not protect you from mold. It is also advisable to wear removable protective clothing (such as Tyvek disposable suits) while handling moldy material, as mold can collect on clothes and be released later. Smaller areas of surface type growth (less than 3’x3’) can be treated following the EPA’s Mold Cleanup in your Home.

Painting over mold, even after applying a biocide, will not fix mold and dampness problems. Removing damaged materials, but not addressing the underlying moisture problem, is also ineffective. Running particle-removing air filters or air cleaners alone will not solve a mold problem.

Removing moldy materials can raise mold levels in the air, so it’s advisable for unprotected persons to avoid exposures during remediation. During and after remediation, precautions should be taken to prevent mold spores from contaminating other areas on the home. Containment of the remediation area and the moldy materials, including sealing vents to heating/air conditioning/ventilation systems, followed by cleanup are important safety measures. In larger remediation projects, containment may require sheeting and maintaining negative pressure in the containment area.

After the remediation efforts have been completed, a thorough visual inspection supported by spore trap air sampling is performed by a third party as required by the IICRC S520 Standard. If no visual mold growth remains, the source of the moisture which resulted in the mold growth has been remedied, and the airborne spore counts represent a Normal Indoor Fungal Ecology relative to the exterior ambient air, then the remediated areas are considered to have been effectively remediated and a Post Remediation Verification Report is produced as documentation of a successfully completed remediation.

Correcting the moisture problems and preventing or quickly responding to future moisture problems will keep mold from growing indoors. Also, porous materials that were previously moldy but not removed will generally be even more susceptible to mold regrowth as they may have traces of remaining mycelium and hyphae which can grow rapidly without the need of the germination phase.