There are many concerns these days with mold in the home. Once pipes are broken or there is water damage in a home, there is a great chance for mold to grow. With the increase in bank-owned homes on the market, and many that have been closed for quite some time or have not drained the pipes in the winter, mold is a growing concern. Home buyers frequently ask about mold in the home and here are some things to know about mold.
1. There are an estimated 400,000 types of mold and fewer than 100,000 have been named. An estimated 1,000 types of mold have been found in homes in the US.
Fewer than 80 molds have been found to cause any type of disease, and only a few are considered toxic.
2. Molds are fungi. In nature, molds help break down dead materials in soil, plant matter, food, and many other items. Molds produce microscopic cells, called spores, that spread through the air. The spores act like seeds, forming new colonies when there is a suitable temperature, humidity and food source.
3. There are three main groups of molds
to. Allergenic – generally mild symptoms – itchy throat, itchy eyes, rash, etc.
B. Pathogen – Usually causes some type of infection and can cause serious health effects if the person has a weakened immune system.
vs. Toxigenic – Mycotoxins can cause serious health effects in almost anyone.
4. The most important step in solving a potential mold problem is identifying and correcting the source of moisture. Some of the common sources of indoor moisture include:
Flooding, condensation, water seepage from basement walls and slabs, roof leaks, plumbing leaks, use of humidifiers, inadequate ventilation in kitchen and bathrooms, inadequate ventilation of combustion appliances, and lack of ventilation of clothes dryers.
5. The relative humidity of a home should be kept between 20 and 40% in winter and less than 60% the rest of the year. Molds will grow easily with a moisture content of 70%.
6. Ways to control humidity include dehumidifiers, adequate ventilation, air circulation near cold surfaces, and efforts to control humidity production in the home. All identified molds must be investigated, cleaned / removed by a qualified person.
Your local Ohio home inspector has the ability to test your home or the home you are considering purchasing for mold. Remember, just because there is evidence of mold in the house and even though it needs to be removed, it does not necessarily mean that it is black mold.