Mold Contamination
You do not have to smell mold for it to be a problem.

Is there mold contamination in your home?
Even the cleanest and newest homes can have indoor mold contamination, often in areas that are completley unniticed by the home's occupants.

How dangerous is mold?
Molds are now recognized as a serious indoor health concern worldwide. Some molds are infectious, some toxic, and all molds are considered allergenic.

Mold can cause a large variety of health effects including behavioral problems, learning disabilities, neurological damage, ear infections, sinus infections, damage to immune and nervous systems, and breathing disorders like allergies and asthma. These illnesses are caused by inhalation of: 1) microscopic spores that are released into the indoor air, 2) toxic chemicals called mycotoxins produced by certain molds, and 3) metabolic gasses emitted during mold digestion (the musty, mildew smell).

While mold can affect even the healthiest people, pregnant women, infants, children, seniors, and those with allergies, asthma, chemical sensitivities, or other preexisting conditions should be especially concerned about exposure to mold.

Where does mold come from?
Indoor mold only requires a food source and moisture to germinate. Food sources are plentiful in homes. They include materials like wallboard, wood, insulation, wallpaper adhesive, carpet backing, cardboard, paper, fabric, leather, and especially house dust, which is primarily dead skin cells shed from humans.

Moisture sources are also plentiful. They include indoor humidity from showers, baths, dishwashers, humidifiers; carpet cleaning; gradual perspiration; breathing of humans and pets; unsealed sump pumps; intermittent roof and plumbing leaks; backed-up floor drains; and water seepage through windows, siding, foundation walls and basement floors. Due to the abundance of food and moisture sources indoors, most homes will have multiple locations where mold is growing, often unnoticed.

When does mold become a problem?
Mold spores are everywhere, and we should never expect to live in a mold-free world. Mold is part of the food chain to complete the breaking down of dead matter.

In small amounts, most of us are not bothered by mold, but in larger concentrations often found indoors, mold can become detrimental to health.

Indoors, a small surface area the size of a softball can emit tens of thousands of spores into indoor air each day. When considering the cumulative effect of multiple locations of hidden mold in a home, the total amount can become significant. You do not have to smell mold for it to be a health concern, but if you smell a musty odor, there is likely an active mold condition.

Dehumidification can stop the odor, but can cause the mold to cast spores into the air and spread the problem to more areas. Mold should first be discovered and remediated, then dehumidification can be used for prevention.

Whenever and wherever mold is growing indoors, it should be recognized as a concern and promptly remediated. Procrastinating will cause problems to get worse and more costly to resolve.

Should you have a mold inspection?
There are many areas in a home where mold can hide. A professional mold inspector can help identify those areas and offer advice to help you monitor your home in the future. An inspection is especially important following water incursions in order to identify all affected areas and determine if mold has since germinated. A mold inspector can provide advice on how to eliminate and control mold colonies, as well as help determine whether or not the project is suitable for a do-it-yourselfer or if a professional should be called in.

Because mold contamination causes many illnesses, an unbiased mold inspection can be a wise investment for every homeowner, not just homes where it is visually apparent or where symptoms have been experienced.

Should you have mold tested?
The most expedient approach is discovering the hidden mold through inspection and then eliminating it. Testing mold in a laboratory adds to the cost of a mold investigation and is often unnecessary. There are some instances where mold testing can yield valuable information, such as when mold is suspected but cannot be readily seen, or if a doctor needs to know what type of mold a patient has been exposed to, or for litigation purposes.

Consult with your mold inspector to determine if there is merit in testing for mold.

When do you need a mold remediator?
If you have small areas of mold, you may be able to resolve the problem on your own. However, you must follow all safety precautions for personal protection, as well as containment to prevent the mold from spreading throughout the home.

On the other hand, if you have larger areas of contamination, or if you have compromised health, or do not want to study mold remediation protocol, it is likely in your best interest to hire a professional mold remediator. These professionals are trained to safely and effectively remediate mold-infected areas.

This article is copyrighted and reprinted with permission by DanSchilling and Home Resource Magazine. To receive a copy of Home Resource, contact Sarah Schilling at publisherhr@gmail.com.

This article is intended to be general in nature and is not intended to address all potential issues. Specific determinations must be obtained by qualified experts.