Some people would move out before living another day in the same house once mold is discovered. And some people grab a bottle of bleach to hopefully render it harmless. Certain molds can make homeowners sick, but there are millions of species. Only a few of them are dangerous. The ones that are can cause serious health problems.
The Telltale Signs of Mold
Sometimes, mold and mildew are difficult to differentiate to the untrained eye. They can both leave dark specks and clusters on walls, in showers and areas where dampness is a problem. They can both leave a musty odor. But mildew isn’t as harmful as mold. And mold comes in scores of varieties.
Moldpedia says one of the first signs of mold is the telltale musty odor. Even you can’t see it, it’s probably there inside walls or under the floor. If you can smell it, you’re breathing it. Mold may be black, brown, purple, yellow, green or an assortment of colors.
Black Mold Isn’t Always “Black Mold”
By now, most people in America have heard about the dangers of Toxic Black Mold also known as Stachybotrys. It can cause severe health problems and sometimes death. But not so fast. Not every mold that’s black is considered toxic. And toxic black mold is more greenish black in color. Further, the mold might not be toxic at all.
According to Atlantic Environmental Incorporated, it’s not the mold by the mycotoxins that black mold can produce that can weaken, sicken and even kill.
Mold Needs a Certain Environment to Grow
There’s a reason you’ve never seen mold on a dry surface that’s always been dry. Mold requires moisture to grow and reproduce. That’s why it tends to thrive in bathrooms, kitchens and other areas where there’s moisture and some warmth.
Mold might live in these and any other area where dampness is chronic or it has been in the past.
Walls Floors Basements Crawl spaces Ductwork Windows Attic and wall insulation Ceilings Laundry rooms Testing Identifies Mold, Drying Prevents It, Bleach Doesn’t Do Much At All
Because of the enormous range of molds in America, mold testing is the only way to know what a homeowner has. There are consumer-grade kits that test by contact, and more in-depth testing performed by a lab using samples from inside the home.
The best way to handle mold is prevention, says the EPA, which means eliminating the most important element: moisture. Repair pipe leaks or a leaky roof, improve ventilation and remove old, damp materials such as carpeting, insulation or wallboard that has taken on water. The EPA says more than 10 square feet of mold should be referred to professional for cleanup. It there’s less than that, homeowners can follow these steps:
Wear long clothing and breathing protection Scrub affected hard surface areas using detergent and water Dry the areas completely Throw away porous materials that can’t be scrubbed clean
As for using chlorine bleach, it’s anyone’s guess. Historically, bleach has been used for both mold and mildew cleanup because the dark color lightens and sometimes vanishes. The odor is usually eliminated too, at least for a while. But many experts say bleach doesn’t get to the root of the problem so mold always comes back. The National Organization of Remediators and Mold Inspectors says bleach is mostly useless. The best course of action is scrubbing and drying, just like the EPA says.
The presence of mold in a home doesn’t automatically mean the homeowner or prospective buyer is at risk. The bigger concern is what’s causing it. Actual toxic black mold is rare. If the homeowner eliminates damp conditions, they’ll prevent new mold growth. Then cleanup can finally work for good instead of becoming a cycle of rubber gloves, bleach and old rags.
As a certified home inspector, chances are you’ll see more than your fair share of molds, mildews and other not-so-pleasant things that thrive in damp conditions. All of it goes into your home inspection report, which could be the easiest part of your job, by far.