Mold Growth: Health Risks and Remediation
Mold is a naturally occurring fungus that lives on damp or decaying organic matter. It reproduces through microscopic spores, which exist virtually everywhere. While the spores aren’t visible to the naked eye, they can attach themselves to carpets, furniture fabrics, HVAC ductwork, and pets. Once they land on a spot with the appropriate growth conditions, they build up and become visible. Mold growth inside your property is problematic for several reasons. The mold itself can be dangerous, causing respiratory problems for the property’s inhabitants, but it also means your space is damp. This moisture could mean your property is suffering from water damage, in some cases, of unknown origin. Further, mold feasts on organic substances. In the wild, we see this as mushrooms growing in a forest and breaking down dead trees. Indoors, mold can grow on drywall, paper, wood, and other building materials.
FROM WATER DAMAGE TO MOLD GROWTH
You can’t have mold without water. Water damage is commonly caused by faulty or leaky plumbing, clogged gutters and downspouts, failing appliances, and severe weather. Unfortunately, you may see mold growth before you realize your property has water damage. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), mold may begin to grow on damp surfaces in as little as 24-48 hours. In a matter of days, a relatively small water damage incident can begin to grow into a full mold infestation. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the most common indoor molds are:
• Cladosporium
• Penicillium
• Aspergillus
• Alternaria
• Stachybotrys chartarum (also known as black mold)
What Does Mold Need to Grow?
SEVERE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH MOLD DAMAGE
The danger of mold damage cannot be understated. Mold can be toxic if it appears to have a gray or soot-like texture or if it appears slimy and wet. Often, you’ll see furry orange or brown spots. These kinds of molds can negatively impact the quality of the air inside a property and, ultimately, your health and well-being.
CAN MOLD MAKE YOU SICK?
Yes. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, health risks from mold can range from allergic reactions to asthma or irritated eyes, ears, throats, and lungs.
Symptoms stemming from mold spore exposure may include:
• Nasal and sinus congestion
• Eye irritation
• Blurred vision
• Sore throat
• Chronic cough
• Skin rash
These risks are caused by airborne mold spores throughout the house, not only mold you can see on the walls, ceilings, and floors. This is why hiring a professional team to remove mold from your property is important to ensure complete remediation.
METHODS USED TO ASSESS MOLD HAZARDS
Mold puts off a musty odor that can smell earthy or like rotting vegetables. The scent of mold is often the first indication of a problem. In some cases, an air sample will be used to determine mold exposure in the air if there are no visible signs of mold growth. However, due to cost and sample variation, this is not always a necessary step in the mold removal process. Significant mold infestations can usually be determined by visual observation or the presence of odor. Visual confirmation of mold can be tricky, as mold spores require a microscope. This means that if you can see the mold growth, it has become extensive and potentially hazardous. In cases where odor is present, but there is no visible growth, destructive sampling may be required. This is when a professional team removes a section of drywall to inspect the inside of the wall for mold. A fiberoptics tool may also be used to investigate a small hole drilled into the wall to locate hidden mold damage.
PLACES WHERE MOISTURE PROBLEMS (AND MOLD) ARE COMMON
Issues with moisture on your property are most likely the result of structural deficiencies. Common areas of water damage inspection include:
• Rain leaks under windows, on roofs, and at wall joints
• Behind vinyl wallpaper
• Under other impermeable wall finishes such as faux brick
• Surface and groundwater leaks from poorly designed or faulty rain gutters, footing drains, or basement design issues.
• Plumbing leaks
• Stagnant water in appliances, including HVAC systems, humidifiers, dishwashers, washers, and refrigerators.
MOLD DAMAGE CLEANUP CONSIDERATIONS
It can be tempting to grab the bleach and start cleaning once you realize there’s mold growth occurring on your property. However, simply cleaning with bleach and water will not kill mold. According to the EPA, the only way to control mold growth is to cut off its water supply and fix any water leaks or damage. There are also several factors that go into the decision of who will clean up the mold infestation to ensure that it’s removed as safely and effectively as possible.
Some details to consider include:
The size of the mold growth. If the moldy area is smaller than 10 square feet (about 3ft by 3ft), you’ll likely not require the assistance of a professional mold remediation team. However, if the infested area is any bigger than this, it’s best to hire outside help because it will likely be difficult to remove large mold growths safely and effectively alone.
If the mold damage was caused by sewage-infested water damage. Contaminated water adds another level of safety risk to you and all the building inhabitants. You should always call a professional who has experience handling repairs that involve contaminated water.
Experience with mold removal. If you hire a professional crew to clean up your mold growth, be sure they have experience with this kind of work. Check for references and positive online reviews and ask if they follow the EPA guidelines for mold remediation.
If there’s significant water damage present. If there’s been a lot of water damage, you will need water remediation and mold removal. This process is tricky if you have limited experience with this type of cleanup and is best completed by an IICRC-certified remediation team.
If you have any health concerns. If you have any health concerns, such as asthma or a physical injury that would make it difficult to complete this work alone, contact a medical professional before starting the cleanup.
