Article
HOMES IN LAS CRUCES, NEW MEXICO
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As a home owner or home buyer, you already know to look for mechanical or structural defects. You know about the effects of Radon, water quality, lead paint, and termites, but how much do you know about MOLD and its destructive potential in your home?
Even in our dry Southwest climate, Mold is a part of the natural environment. 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 is a micro-organism that reproduces 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. Indoor mold may be visible as a discoloration on your walls, floors or ceilings. But mold can also hide where you will never see it. Mold can hide in wall spaces, in carpeting and in HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems).
Molds have the potential to cause severe health problems and even make a home uninhabitable.
Molds produce allergens (substances that can cause allergic reactions), irritants, and in some cases, potentially toxic substances (mycotoxins). Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Allergic responses include hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash (dermatitis). Molds can also cause asthma attacks in people with asthma who are allergic to mold. Less commonly mold can cause nervous system problems (headaches, memory loss, and moodiness), aches, pains and fevers. Exposure to indoor mold is not healthy for anyone. In particular, people with allergies, respiratory problems, those who are immuno-suppressed, infants, elderly or pregnant women are especially susceptible. Molds that may not be affecting the seller may severely affect the buyer.
Mold can eat through building materials, and if undetected and untreated can cause structural damage. Any place there has been water damage mold can grow and destroy whatever material it grows on. The mold spores will not grow if moisture is not present. Indoor mold growth can and should be prevented or controlled by controlling moisture indoors. If there is mold growth in your home, you must clean up the mold and fix the water problem. If you clean up the mold, but don't fix the water problem, then, most likely, the mold problem will come back.
TESTING OR SAMPLING FOR MOLD
Is sampling for mold needed? In most cases, if visible mold growth is present, sampling is unnecessary. There are three types of testing ' swab, air, and carpet sampling. Surface sampling may be useful to determine if an area has been adequately cleaned or remediated.
You may suspect hidden mold if a building smells moldy, but you cannot see the source, or if you know there has been water damage and residents are reporting health problems. Mold may be hidden in places such as the back side of dry wall, wallpaper, or paneling, the top side of ceiling tiles, the underside of carpets and pads, etc. Other possible locations of hidden mold include areas inside walls around pipes, the surface of walls behind furniture (where condensation forms), inside ductwork, and in roof materials above ceiling tiles (due to roof leaks or insufficient insulation). Investigating hidden mold problems may be difficult and will require caution when the investigation involves disturbing potential sites of mold growth. If you believe that you may have a hidden mold problem, the detection should be conducted by professionals who have specific experience in designing mold sampling protocols, sampling methods, and interpreting results. Sample analysis should follow analytical methods recommended by the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), or other professional organizations.
CLEAN UP
Fix plumbing leaks and other water problems as soon as possible. Dry all items completely.
Scrub mold off hard surfaces with detergent and water, and dry completely.
Absorbent or porous materials, such as ceiling tiles and carpet, may have to be thrown away if they become moldy. Mold can grow on or fill in the empty spaces and crevices of porous materials, so the mold may be difficult or impossible to remove completely.
Do not paint or caulk moldy surfaces. Clean up the mold and dry the surfaces before painting. Paint applied over moldy surfaces is likely to peel.
If you are unsure about how to clean an item, or if the item is expensive or of sentimental value, you may wish to consult a specialist. Specialists in furniture repair, restoration, painting, art restoration and conservation, carpet and rug cleaning, water damage, and fire or water restoration are commonly listed in phone books. Be sure to ask for and check references. Look for specialists who are affiliated with professional organizations.
Moisture control is the key to mold prevention.
When water leaks or spills occur indoors - ACT QUICKLY. If wet or damp materials or areas are dried 24-48 hours after a leak or spill happens, in most cases mold will not grow.
Clean and repair roof gutters regularly.
Make sure the ground slopes away from the building foundation, so that water does not enter or collect around the foundation.
Keep air conditioning drip pans clean and the drain lines unobstructed and flowing properly.
The Most Important Factors Are:
REDUCE HUMIDITY & REDUCE CONDENSATION
How Do I Know When the Remediation or Cleanup is Finished?
You must have completely fixed the water or moisture problem before the cleanup or remediation can be considered finished.
' You should have completed mold removal. Visible mold and moldy odors should not be present. Please note that mold may cause staining and cosmetic damage.
' You should have revisited the site(s) shortly after cleanup and it should show no signs of water damage or mold growth.
' People should have been able to occupy or re-occupy the area without health complaints or physical symptoms.
' Ultimately, this is a judgment call; there is no easy answer. If you have concerns or questions call the EPA Indoor Air Quality Information
THIS ARTICLE IS BASED ON INFORMATION FROM
' General Home Inspections,
755 S. Telshor, Suite 202A,
Las Cruces, NM 88011
505-522-7930
' US EPA PUBLICATION #402-K-02-003
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