The Real Story …
News and commentary about the real estate market and related topics.
Dave Parrish, ABR ®, CRSA, CSP, GRI, ePRO ®, REALTOR ®, RealtySouth
Mold & Mildew…
With the abundance of wet weather recently, it may be a good time to talk about the issue of mold. Mold and mildew can be hard to tell apart for many people. Both mold and mildew are fungi, but they are different kinds of fungi that prefer different environments in which to grow. While different, I will for the purpose of this discussion use the term mold to refer to both.
While there is some debate in the scientific community as to the level of harmful effects of mold on humans, there is no doubt that many people are extremely sensitive to molds of various types. For the purpose of this article, we will assume the more cautious point of view that generally classifies mold as a health and safety issue or a habitability issue.
There are many types of mold, and none of them will grow without water or moisture.
While mold spores are constantly present in the air, their rapid growth is most commonly attributed to the presence of excessive moisture over prolonged periods of time. As these colonies grow they become visible although they do not have to be visible to impact the health and/or comfort of persons more sensitive to mold / fungi spores.
Visible mold will usually first appear as black, gray, green, red or white stains. As the colonies grow these stains may become more textured as they accumulate and take on a powdery/sooty or a fuzzy/wooly texture.
Molds produce allergens (substances that can cause allergic reactions), irritants, and in some cases, potentially toxic substances (mycotoxins). Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Allergic responses include hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash (dermatitis).
Allergic reactions to mold are common. They can be immediate or delayed. Molds can also cause asthma attacks in people with asthma who are allergic to mold. In addition, mold exposure can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs of both mold-allergic and non-allergic people. Symptoms other than the allergic and irritant types are not commonly reported as a result of inhaling mold. Research on mold and health effects is ongoing.
Molds are not always harmful; the antibiotic penicillin was created from the mold of the same name. Of course there are some persons who are so sensitive to mold that even the beneficial effects of Penicillin does not exist for them.
It is impossible to get rid of all mold and mold spores indoors; some mold spores will be found floating through the air and in house dust. The 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.
In an effort to increase energy efficiency, home builders in recent years have built homes more tightly and allowed for much less air leakage around doors and windows. From an energy standpoint, this is a good practice. But from an air quality standpoint, such a tight house prevents the natural dilution of spores that might build up in a mold infested house.
So if a tightly built home experienced a prolonged water intrusion, such as a roof leak or a shower pan leak, and large areas of mold and/or mildew grew in the home, any person living inside this house might expose themselves to elevated levels of mold or mildew spores.
Air circulation or rather a lack of air circulation is another contributing factor infrequently mentioned as a contributing factor to mold growth. This is especially true in houses that have been closed up for a while. An important example being some of the many foreclosures that a currently on the market.
Mold Prevention & Remediation (Clean-Up):
Keeping molds and mildews from flourishing in your home can be a chore, but it is possible. Places where they grow, such as basements and bathtubs, must be kept as clean as possible. Since both thrive on moisture it is imperative to keep the home dry, with air conditioners and dehumidifiers having the ability to keep the environment inside the home at a level where molds and mildews cannot grow.
In most cases, molds and mildew are found where it is damp and moist. Bathrooms and basements are popular spots for mildew to form, as you can find it on shower curtains, bathtubs and under sinks.
Moisture absorbing chemicals can be used in closets to protect fabrics from mildew; silica gel and activated alumina are two that work and do not harm clothes. Remove molds and mildews from clothes, paper, mattresses, tiles and other surfaces as soon as you find them, using a variety of cleaning products made for such a purpose. Serious or severe mold infestations may require professional mold remediation services to eliminate the problem.
Whether you’re a home owner or a prospective buyer, mold and mildew issues should not be taken lightly and should be addressed immediately.
For more information about mold and mildew visit: epa.gov/mold/moldguide.html
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