A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home
by Admin
Posted on 06-03-2025 10:57 AM
Mold is found both indoors and outdoors. Mold can enter your home through open doorways, windows, vents, and heating and air conditioning systems.
Mold in the air outside can also attach itself to clothing, shoes, and pets can and be carried indoors. When mold spores drop on places with excessive moisture, such as where leakage may have occurred in roofs, pipes, walls, plant pots, or where there has been flooding, they will grow.
Molds are part of the natural environment, and can be found everywhere, indoors and outdoors. Mold is not usually a problem, unless it begins growing indoors. The best way to control mold growth is to control moisture. This website provides guidance about mold and moisture for homes, schools, multifamily and commercial buildings. Molds can have a big impact on indoor air quality. https://7mx.z1.web.core.windows.net/moldinspectionwilmingtonnc/
Molds, like most fungi, break down plant and animal matter in the environment. They can grow almost anywhere there is moisture and organic material such as in soil, on foods and plants, and in people's homes. To reproduce, molds release spores, which can spread through air, water, or on animals. View sources of mold in your home.
How do I get rid of mold?
Avoid breathing in mold or mold spores. In order to limit your exposure to airborne mold, you may want to wear an n-95 respirator, available at many hardware stores and from companies that advertise on the internet. (they cost about $12 to $25. ) some n-95 respirators resemble a paper dust mask with a nozzle on the front, others are made primarily of plastic or rubber and have removable cartridges that trap most of the mold spores from entering.
In order to be effective, the respirator or mask must fit properly, so carefully follow the instructions supplied with the respirator.
Indoor air contains a high concentration of contaminants, so it’s necessary you work to keep a sufficient air exchange rate with the outdoors. An efficient ventilation system will reduce the concentration of contaminants and ensure a healthier, mold-free indoor environment for you, your family and guests. In addition, getting rid of dirt, debris and other sediment and ensuring a clean home can significantly reduce your chances of developing a mold problem. By cleaning regularly, you’re also more likely to notice signs of mold growth such as wall discoloration, black spots and water stains (see more below).
How do i get rid of mold? it is impossible to get rid of all mold and mold spores indoors. Mold spores will not grow if moisture is not present. Indoor mold growth can and should be prevented or controlled by controlling moisture indoors. If there is mold growth in your home, you must clean up the mold and fix the water problem. If you clean up the mold, but don't fix the water problem, then, most likely, the mold problem will come back. Mold cleanup who should do the cleanup depends on a number of things. One consideration is the size of the mold problem.
What to Wear When Cleaning Moldy Areas
If the mold is confined to a smaller area – typically less than 10 square feet – you can consider removing the mold yourself. Diy mold removal efforts involve using everyday household items such as soap and water or a bleach solution consisting of one cup of laundry bleach per one gallon of water. Avoid mixing bleach with other cleaning products such as ammonia, as it will produce a poisonous gas. According to the cdc, wear goggles, rubber boots, and rubber gloves while you’re cleaning the affected areas, and open doors and windows to bring in fresh air. To avoid breathing in mold spores, consider wearing an n95 respirator, which is available online and at local hardware stores for about $12 to $25, according to the epa.
You must have completely fixed the water or moisture problem before the cleanup or remediation can be considered finished. You should have completed mold removal. Visible mold and moldy odors should not be present. Please note that mold may cause staining and cosmetic damage. You should have revisited the site(s) shortly after cleanup and it should show no signs of water damage or mold growth. People should have been able to occupy or re-occupy the area without health complaints or physical symptoms. Ultimately, this is a judgment call; there is no easy answer. If you have concerns or questions consult our frequently asked questions database and ask a question if you don't find what you need.