Moisture and Air: Mold Problems

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Moisture and Air: Mold Problems

Mold can cause:

unsightly stains
damaged paints, wood, drywall, ceiling tiles and fabrics
damage to personal items
allergies and illneses
Some symptoms
discolouration on any surface such as walls, ceilings, or furnishings
stains on carpets
mold on drapes and backs of furniture
stains on personal items close to affected areas such as storage boxes, clothing
musty smells
rotting wood

Prevention

Mold requires high humidity levels to grow. Some molds require condensation to start growing.

To avoid most mold problems, keep materials dry. If mold is present, clean affected area as soon as possible and identify the source of moisture that allowed the mold to grow in that location.

Clean-up Methods

You can clean small areas of mold yourself using an unscented detergent and water. The mold area is considered Р Р†Р вЂљРЎС™smallР Р†Р вЂљРЎСљ if there are fewer than 3 patches, each patch smaller than one (1) square meter. If you have more than three patches or the areas are larger, you need a trained professional to assess your house. You may also need a trained contractor to clean extensive areas of mold.

When cleaning:

use household rubber gloves
use a mask, rated N95, capable of filtering fine particles.
use protective glasses
rinse well with clean, wet rag
dry

Moldy ceiling tiles and carpets should be removed and discarded. Drywall that remains stained after cleaning with detergent and water may need to be removed. Try washing fabrics. If the mold odour or stain persists, discard.

The proper cleaning procedure involves removing the mold. Chemicals, such as bleach and fungicides are not recommended. It is important to remove all mold residue as it can cause allergies or illness.