Having a mold problem in your house is more than a nuisance--it can cause serious health problems for people with allergies, asthma and compromised immune systems. If you suspect that there is mold growing in your home, you must first identify the source and then take steps to eliminate both the moisture and the mold growth.

Identify the Source

The first step to eliminating mold in your house is to determine where the mold is coming from. A professional mold inspector can identify mold growth for about $400, but you may want to try a few simple tricks to see if you can find the problem yourself before calling a professional. One method of finding mold growth is to look for areas around your home that smell musty. In an article for the New York Times, Jeffrey C. May, principal scientist for May Indoor Air Investigations in Cambridge, Mass. said, "Ordinarily, it's impossible to tell where a musty odor is coming from. But I use a simple trick. I put a fan in a window to pull air out of the room; I seal up the room and then I crawl around on my hands and knees and sniff at every crack I can find." (Reference 1) Another way to identify mold growth is to look for signs of moisture damage on walls, ceilings and floors. Inspect areas that show damage closely to see if mold is present.

Eliminating Mold

Once you've identified the source of the mold, you can take steps to cure the problem. The key to getting rid of mold permanently is to keep out moisture that is causing the mold to grow. (Reference 1) Moisture can be controlled by regulating humidity levels in the home with dehumidifiers and air conditioners or by opening windows in kitchen and bathroom areas when cooking, bathing or using the dishwasher. If you notice water condensation on windows during the winter months, install storm windows to prevent the inner windowpanes from getting too cold.You can also control moisture by fixing areas where water seeps into the house and putting plastic ground coverings on the floors of dirt crawl spaces. (Reference 2) In addition to controlling the source of the moisture, take steps to clean mold off surfaces in your home. Use a strong detergent mixed with water to eliminate mold and kill spores on hard surfaces such as concrete. In some cases, you'll need to replace badly damaged walls, ceilings and floors. You can also use a solution of highly diluted bleach to clean mold, but because of its toxicity, you must take precautions to ensure your safety. Once the bleach solution has been applied, leave it on for 10 minutes and then rinse the area thoroughly with clean water. If using bleach, dilute the chemical by mixing a solution of one part bleach to ten parts water. Bleach can be dangerous even when diluted, so always use it in a well-ventilated area and take frequent breaks so that you can get fresh air. It is also important to wear protective gear such as goggles, gloves and a respirator.

Source:

New York Times

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