Mold

The EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) has prepared a Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home. Some of the highlights are:

The key to mold control is moisture control
If mold is a problem in your home, you should clean up the mold promptly and fix the water problem
It is important to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth
Clean and repair roof gutters regularly
Make sure the ground slopes away from the building foundation
Keep air conditioning drip pans clean and the drain lines unobstructed
Keep indoor humidity low. Between 30 and 50 percent, ideally.
Vent appliances that produce moisture, such as clothes dryers, to the outside.
Increase ventilation
If you already have a mold problem, ACT QUICKLY. Mold damages what it grows on. The longer it grows, the more damage it can cause.
If there's some mold in the shower or elsewhere in the bathroom that seems to reappear, increase the ventilation and clean more frequently to keep the mold to a minimum.
Fix plumbing leaks and other water problems as soon as possible. Dry all items completely.
Scrub mold off hard surfaces with detergent and water, and dry completely.
While cleaning mold, avoid breathing in mold or mold spores. You may want to wear an N-95 respirator while cleaning a moldy area. Wear gloves and goggles that do not have ventilation holes.
If you are a renter, report all plumbing leaks and moisture problems immediately to your building manager. If your persistent water problems are not addresses, you may want to contact local, state or federal health or housing authorities.
If you have a commercial building, you may wish to read the EPA guide Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings.
Hidden mold: If a building smells moldy, but you cannot see the source, or if you know there has been water damage and residents are reporting health problems, mold may be hidden in places such as the back side of dry wall, wallpaper or paneling, the top side of ceiling tiles, the underside of carpets and pads, etc. Investigating hidden mold problems may be difficult and will require caution. If this is the case, it may be time to contact your health department and your insurance agent, as professionals may need to be called in. If your insurer has denied your claim, or if you believe your insurance company has not treated you fairly, we are here to help you.

To read the EPA guide Mold, Moisture, and Your Home in pdf format, click here

To read the EPA guide Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings in pdf format click here: