 When most people think of mold, if they do happen to think of mold, their thoughts might turn to what’s growing in the back of the refrigerator—not what might be lurking in our homes. And while we can simply toss the offending food item in our fridge, getting rid of the mold in our homes is quite another challenge.
While most molds—including those growing in the fridge—pose little or no health risk, there are a few household molds we should be wary of, and that can cause serious damage if left unchecked.
Mold can also cause serious health problems even with very little exposure, such as nosebleeds, vomiting, hair loss, diarrhea, and cognitive dysfunction and hearing loss. And pregnant women, infants and small children and those with compromised immune systems are at even higher risk.
So if you’ve had water damage, a roof leak, broken pipes, or flooding recently, it’s important to scour your home thoroughly for any signs of mold damage.
Facts about mold
First, household molds come in colors such as red, green, blue-green, brown and black. There are only two types of household mold that are toxic—Stachybotrys and Memnoniella. Other common indoor molds include Cladosporium, Penicillium, Alternaria and Aspergillus.
Stachybotrys is black and usually grows in damp environments on materials that are high in cellulose and low in nitrogen content, such as wallpaper, cardboard, ceiling tile, cellulose-based insulation, and wood. The black stuff in your shower isn’t the same mold, though, so no reason for alarm there. But according to Toxic Mold & Tort News Online, some authorities believe as many as 50% of all homes may have some level of Stachybotrys infestation.
What to look for
The most important consideration to keep in mind for preventing toxic mold is that fungi and mold need a moist, wet or damp environment to thrive. By maintaining a clean, dry home or workplace, dangerous mold species simply can’t grow. Unfortunately, it is sometimes very challenging to distinguish between toxic molds and those that don’t pose a risk. Most types of mold appear quite similar—black or gray sooty patches. The good news is that even if toxic molds are in or around a home, most homeowners remove them through normal cleaning before they are able to grow to a size where they would pose a threat.
The danger level occurs when mold reaches a size of roughly two square feet. Another serious concern is if mold has infested household items like insulation, drywall or carpet. There was a new home in Austin recently—just built, in fact—where the mold damage was so severe, the homeowners were forced to move out so major repairs could be made.
The repair process can get expensive and usually involves ripping out contaminated materials, replacing them, and fixing the source of the dampness or wetness. In the most extreme cases, homes must be torn down and rebuilt.
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And with proposed changes to Texas homeowner’s insurance policies, those repairs, if needed, could get even more expensive for consumers. According to the Texas Department of Insurance, Texas homeowner policies currently include coverage for a loss caused by mold or other fungi only if the loss is the direct result of a covered peril such as an accidental water discharge like a plumbing leak or similar situation.
However, because certain insurance companies have filed proposed endorsements that would exclude all coverage of mold and fungi from homeowner’s policies, the agency is conducting public hearings to hear consumer feedback. For more information on the hearings and how you can voice your opinion, visit the Texas Department of Insurance Web site at www.tdi.state.tx.us.
Prevention
The good news is that most molds start out small enough to be whisked away with regular cleaning. Anyone who gives a house a good "spring cleaning" a few times a year should fare just fine. But there are some considerations to keep in mind.
Mold needs a damp environment in which to grow, so keep a close eye out for sources in and around the home that can create a dangerous environment. These include:
- leaky or broken pipes
- windows or older doors that lack good seals
- roofs that leak, and
- any cracks or holes in the building.
If flooding has occurred, it is extremely important to make sure that the water is thoroughly dried up to avoid festering water or dampness. In addition, homeowners should include scheduled maintenance as part of regular cleaning, such as inspection for water leaks, identification of problem seals around windows and doors, and regular checks for visible mold in moist or damp parts of the home. Any trouble spots should be corrected immediately to prevent possible problems and expensive repairs in the future.
If you do find something suspicious and it’s a small patch, it can be removed with a chlorine-bleach solution (one cup of bleach diluted in one gallon of water). The mold should come off with simple scrubbing, but be sure to protect yourself with eye goggles, rubber gloves and carbon-filter respirators before you start. Be careful not be scrape off mold that has dried because this greatly increases the chances of releasing toxin-carrying spores into the air.
Other tips homeowners can take to lower mold exposure include:
- Keep indoor humidity levels below 40%.
- Use air conditioning and/or a dehumidifier during humid months.
- Be sure your home has adequate ventilation.
- Add mold inhibitors to paints before using.
- Clean bathrooms with anti-mold products.
- If you can, avoid carpeting moist indoor areas such as bathrooms and basements.
- If you’ve experienced flood damage, remove or replace previously soaked carpets and upholstery immediately.
These tips will help ensure a mold-free, safe haven for you and your family—and prevent costly repairs in the years to come.
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