Bathrooms frequently are prime breeding grounds for mold. You can't stop the mold problem until you stop the moisture problem. All mold needs is a little moisture and some good stuff to eat. Mold's favorite foods in the home environment are paper and wood, especially engineered wood products. Air conditioners can be sources of mold, they should be cleaned and disinfected. Stagnant air provides an added boost to mold growth by providing a stable microenvironment. The interior walls of the air ducts offer a potential haven for mold growth, the fan circulates air, and more spores spread throughout the house. Mold problems are estimated to occur in 25 to 50 % of all homes
Checklist for possible sources of mold problems:
moisture behind bath tiles
high humidity in the basement
leaking windows
wet carpets
drain pan under refrigerator
AC drain pan, cooling coils, and ductwork
plant bases
roof leaks and wet insulation
water pipe leaks
dampness and poor air flow under sinks
dryer vents not connected to the outside
corners of rooms with external walls
cabinets and closets attached to external walls
faulty gutters and drain pipes that direct water onto or under the building
sprinkler systems that wet the walls or foundation
showers and shower curtain
ventilation fans
HVAC ducting
Remedies:
Common household chlorine bleach can kill mold and mold spores, but in the commonly used dilution, its usefulness is diminished to the point of ineffectiveness. Using full-strength chlorine is an unacceptable cleanup method, according to OSHA, it is hazardous to your health.
Don't place carpet on concrete floors, especially in basement or other areas at risk for flooding or water seepage. Pay special attention to areas or items that get damp or are prone to water damage -- basements, bathrooms, air conditioners, and humidifiers.
Keep humidity low and prevent moisture buildup. Place a dehumidifier in the basement or other damp areas of the house. Regularly maintain and clean dehumidifiers and ACs.
Look for water damage in suspect places like doors, windows, porches, roofs, and basements. Do not use a furnace humidifier. Mold resistant drywall has become widely available in different forms. Mothballs emit vapors that inhibit mold growth.
Investing in watertight storage binds will help protect both your home and those old family possessions. (see Appendix C Typical Costs for Mold Testing & Remediation, and Mold Resistant Construction Materials, Pugliese)
Ventilation:
Dehumidifiers and air conditioners work well, but only as preventive measures. Ventilated air is, in a sense, a disinfectant for mold, as it can reduce the airborne spore count. Ensure that the attic and basement have adequate air circulation and ventilation. Vent crawl spaces. Make sure the exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens are working and venting outside.
Prevention:
Eliminate any moisture of water problems immediately.
Use a dehumidifier in the basement
Keep rooms well ventilated
Store items properly
Thoroughly clean or discard any water damaged items
Avoid direct body contact with existing mold
Keep RH at 50% or lower
Do not use ozone generators
Use mold resistant paneling
Use HEPA vacuum cleaners
Clean and disinfect the inside of the refrigerator regularly, and immediately, after any spills
Check fruits, vegetables, and other food for any sign of mold and immediately remove any infected items
Inspect concrete walls and floors to ensure there are no cracks
Empty the dehumidifier's water collection reservoir frequently or provide continuous drainage
Fix any leaks…Check pipes to ensure that they do not sweat…Watch for any signs of leaks in roofs, walls and floors.
Research products that claim to eliminate mold spores. The use of simple ionizers, e.g., will neither kill mold spores nor eliminate them from the air.
Close windows whenever it rains--some mold spores become airborne during rain--but in dry weather, open windows whenever possible.
Tightly close containers of foods such as cereals, snacks, bread, and flour before storing them. Properly put away food soon after eating. Keep beverages capped…
Use HEPA room air filters; clean or change filters often.
Health
Asthma rates have doubled since 1985. Dust mites, animal dander, mold, bacteria, pollen, cockroach body parts and waste, rodent urine, dust and lint can trigger asthma attacks. Approximately ten percent of the US
Remedies
Central air conditioners…better units are available at up to SEER 21. Room AC, look for units with an energy efficiency ratio (EER) of at least 11. In 1973, 49 percent of single family homes had AC; by 2008 that figure had increased to 89 percent. Use AC during hot, humid, weather. Clean heating ducts. Switching to fluorescent bulbs throughout the house dramatically reduces heat gain through light fixtures…turning of lights when not needed…focused task lighting. Energy Star appliances have less waste heat. Trees, shrubs, grass, and other planting lower the air temperature around a home through transpiration…shading…east and west facing walls… awnings.
In general, air filters are not a solution to IAP problems…band aid...not addressing underlying problem. HEPA air filters are generally not large enough to filter the air in an entire house…best used to filter air in a single room…preventive measures are most important. Electronic whole house filters (ion generators, precipitators, and ozone generators) are not recommended. Change filters regularly if you have an air handling system. Use high-efficient air HEPA filters whenever possible. use the most efficient furnace filter Thorough cleaning, preferably with a HEPA vacuum, can help control allegens. It is best to keep relative humidity between 25 and 40% in the winter and below 70% in the summer
Allergen Control Check list
Cover pillows and mattresses with dust-proof covers.
Vacuum regularly with a special HEPA filtered vacuum cleaner.
Damp mop hard surfaces such as wooden floors.
Remove carpeting from bedrooms.
Wash bed linens in hot water regularly.
