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Home Inspections for Fond du Lac, Oshkosh, Ripon, Waupun, and Beaver Dam Areas
Moisture and Mold
Submitted by IanIquette on Mon, 02/16/2009 - 15:56.
Moisture to Mold
Most of us know that mold can be bad for your health. Don’t get me wrong, there are also good molds. But, in general, the type that can be growing in your home may have adverse effects on your health.
The first step we should be taking in controlling mold is to control moisture. This can be done in several different ways. Homeowners need to focus on preventing moisture intrusion first of all. This is the number one and maybe most important step in fighting mold and moisture.
To prevent moisture intrusion into your home, we need to look at a few items a little closer. First we need to determine if the grading around the home is sufficient. Your grading should slope at least 6” away from the foundation within the first 10’. If this grade is not sufficient water has more likelihood of penetrating the foundation. Make sure you have the right grade around your foundation to prevent water and moisture intrusion.
The next process will be checking your gutter and downspouts. We need to make sure that out gutters are sloped properly to carry the water to the downspouts. If they are too level, the water will not flow, and will remain in the gutter. If they are sloped away from the downspouts, you will create a puddle at one end, and can end up with more problems.
Another issue are cracks and gaps in the foundation or shell of the home. Have all cracks or gaps in the foundation and siding evaluated and repaired by a qualified contractor. This will include foundation cracks, missing corner pieces on siding, damaged window flashings, etc. All these items play a large role in prevent water intrusion into your home.
The next issue we want to look at is vegetation around the home. Make sure that you have trees and shrubs trimmed back at least 12” from the home. Think of the early morning dew on those plants, and what it will do if it is in contact with your home. If there are gaps or possible entry points water will find it.
Once water is in the home, some conditions can be very conducive to the growth of mold. Temperature, humidity and a food source are the ingredients for mold. That food source is your home. By controlling the humidity in your home, you can control the growth of mold. You cannot eliminate mold spores, they are everywhere, but you can control the growth and spread of mold. Mold can grow on any surface, so control of the humidity levels in your home is key. These levels can by controlled by humidifiers and dehumidifiers, which control the moisture levels in your house air. Some homes have these units built in, and others go with a portable, plug in style system for local control.
Controlling humidity is a huge issue in kitchens and bathrooms. Because of the humidity reached in these rooms, exhaust fans should be installed. These fans will remove steam and vapors and vent them to the exterior of the home. Without these fans, moisture will build up in the room and possibly promote mold growth.
The basement is another area of the home that needs to be taken into consideration. This area of the home is usually cooler than the rest of the house. It is also usually a little more damp. A dehumidifier can help aid in humidity control in the basement.
The humidity levels in our homes should be between 30 and 60% on average. If the levels get too high you may be helping promote the growth of mold in the home. If you notice water droplets on windows or walls, have the humidity levels checked. Sometimes, it may be poor seals on windows, but in the case of newer windows, the humidity levels may be too high. Also, have pipes insulated, to limit the ‘sweating’ of water pipes. The moisture that builds up on these pipes can find its’ way into wall cavities, subfloors, and other small crannies in your home.
Using these precautions can be a great start in preventing moisture intrusion and the possibility of mold growth in your home. If you have discovered mold in your home, it needs to be repaired. Small patches of mold can be cleaned by the homeowner. A small patch is usually considered 10 square feet or less. If the area is larger than that, hire a professional for the mold clean up.
If it is a small area, you can clean it yourself. To do this you need to be prepared.
· The first thing you will need is the proper protection from the mold. Rubber gloves, goggles for eye protection, and a breathing mask with the suitable filters is recommended.
· Seal the infected area off from the rest of the home by covering heat registers and return ducts. If there is a window nearby, open this for ventilation.
· Clear the area of personal items and furniture.
· If personal items such as clothing, small rugs, etc. have been infected bag them in a tieable trash bag and dispose of them.
· Now is time to wash the infected area. First, wash the area with a mild detergent and warm water. Let the area dry.
· Now wash the area with a bleach and water solution. The solution should be ¼ cup bleach to one quart of water. Wait 20 minutes and repeat this process, and wait another 20 minutes.
· Now apply a borate based detergent solution to the area. This can be found in the supermarket. On the bottle of detergent it will have borate listed s an ingredient. This step will aid in preventing the mold from growing again. DO NOT DRY.
· Clean and vacuum all floors in the infected area. Clean all linens that were in the room.
· As always, monitor the area for new growth.
I hope this has helped and educated you on moisture and mold growth control. Remember, inside mold growth starts on the exterior of the home.
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