Get Rid of Molds and Mildew
38% of all homes have mold and fungus growths according to the American Society of Home Inspectors. Because modern houses are constructed more tightly than in the past, ventilation is not as good as it once was. As a result of the poor ventilation, mold-produced spores are often trapped inside. Most are harmless but some can be extremely toxic.
Molds produce spores (seeds) which waft in the air throughout the house and create new molds. Breathing in these spores can cause eye irritation, headaches, wheezing, and can aggravate or cause allergies especially in children.
Mildew is a thin, black, or sometimes white growth produced by mold. Mildew often appears in showers, on damp walls and outside on damp, shady surfaces. Mildew won’t damage your home’s structure but other types of mold cause rot. Mildew can be distinguished from dirt by simply dabbing a few drops of household bleach on the blackened area. If it lightens after one or two minutes, you have mildew. If the area remains dark, you probably have dirt.
Some molds produce extremely potent toxins black molds called mycotoxins. Large amounts of mycotoxins in the air can cause serious illnesses like toxicosis (invasive infection). Some are carcinogenic and cause, for example, kidney cancer. Black molds known to produce mycotoxins include Stachybotrys, Memnoniella, Aspergillus, and Penicillium. Stachybotrys is a greenish-black mold that grows on materials with a high cellulose content such as drywall, sheetrock, dropped ceiling tiles and wood that becomes chronically moist due to excessive humidity, water leaks or flooding. If a black mold appears to be growing on materials containing cellulose it is prudent not to disturb the area until it can be shown not to contain toxic mold. Samples can be taken with transparent sticky tape and analyzed by a microscopic exam at a lab. Besides contacting qualified contractors homeowners can obtain a test kit from Mold Testing Lab of St. Petersburg, Fla. (www.moldtestinglab.com).
Claims under homeowner insurance policies for mold related issues including damages have risen dramatically in recent years. Some companies are now excluding such coverage from their basic policies and allowing homeowners to buy the excluded coverage back at an extra premium.
Tip: If you try to clean up mold or mildew use gloves, a respirator and never mix ammonia or detergent containing ammonia with bleach. The combination forms a poisonous gas. Be sure to test for what type of mold you have before you begin to disturb it.
