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Outdoors, molds play a part in nature by breaking down dead organic matter such as fallen leaves and dead trees, but indoors, mold growth should be avoided. Molds reproduce by means of tiny spores; the spores are invisible to the naked eye and float through outdoor and indoor air. Mold may begin growing indoors when mold spores land on surfaces that are wet.
There are many types of mold, and none of them will grow without water or moisture.
Health concerns
Molds have the potential to cause a variety of health problems. Molds produce allergens, irritants, and in some cases, potentially toxic substances. Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions, such as hay fever symptoms, in some sensitive people. Molds can also cause asthma attacks in people with asthma who are allergic to mold.
In addition, mold exposure can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs of both mold-allergic and non-allergic people. Certain molds — best known is stachybotrys — have the potential to produce extremely potent toxins that can cause problems ranging from sinus infections to lung hemorrhage to brain damage.
How do I get rid of mold?
Once you have discovered the source of mold, size it up. If you have more than a square foot of mold growth you should seek professional advice on how to perform the cleanup. Otherwise, the experts offer these tips:
Correct the source of the water and fix all roof or plumbing leaks.
Clean all moldy surfaces with a mixture of household bleach (like Clorox) and water, using 1 cup of bleach per gallon of water.
Add a little dish soap to the bleach water to cut dirt and oil on the wall that can hold mold.
With good ventilation, apply the bleach water mix to the surface with a sponge, let it sit for 15 minutes, then thoroughly dry the surface.
Be sure to wear a dust mask, rubber gloves and open lots of windows.
If you have a bad mold problem, you may need to replace tiles, wet carpets, sheet rock and floorboards — and clean out crawl spaces.
No one with any respiratory ailments or chronic allergies should conduct the cleanup.
Call your city or county health department if you have questions or need assistance.
© Copyright 2009 The Miller Law Firm. All rights Reserved.
If you experience problems or have questions, contact us at Info@ConstructionDefects.com.
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