Re: Mold: a really rotten problem

[Guest guest]

It is so good to hear a success story, for once!

Carl Grimes

Healthy Habitats LLC

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> Mold: a really rotten problem

> South Washington County Bulletin - Cottage Grove,MN*

> Rebekah Dahlberg

> Published Wednesday, January 02, 2008

>

> http://www.swcbulletin.com/articles/index.cfm?

> id=8731 & section=news & freebie_check & CFID=79478955 & CFTOKEN=38957668 & jse

> ssionid=883041aae9067a321827

>

> For Jim Pierce, of Cottage Grove, life was good. He had recently

> proposed to his girlfriend, Jeanine, and she said yes. She even

> agreed to spend a few nights at his house to prepare for their new

> life together while Jim was away on a business trip. While Jeanine

> busied herself cleaning the unfinished basement, however, she

> noticed black growth on the inside of the south wall's vapor

> barrier, which turned out to be every homeowner's nightmare: mold.

>

> When Jim returned from his business trip, he and Jeanine discussed

> the problem. They opted to call in a professional and have the

> entire house inspected for mold. This way, they decided, they could

> determine the extent and seriousness of the mold, as well as how

> best to remove it.

>

> According to the Minnesota Department of Health, it is wise to hold

> off on what could easily become a rather costly inspection of indoor

> mold. Unless the mold is hidden or unreachable, the health

> department recommends instead that people assume there is a problem

> based on sight and smell of the fungal growth. In Jim and Jeanine's

> case, however, a home inspection seemed the right thing to do.

> Jeanine has allergies, Jim explained, and because mold is a common

> trigger, it was necessary to investigate as she would be moving in

> permanently following the wedding.

>

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> The mold inspector found surprising amounts of mold in the air

> upstairs given the quantity of the mold in the basement, Jim said.

> He followed the inspector's advice and removed the basement

> insulation, cleaned and dried the affected areas and sealed a

> portion of the foundation around the base of the house. This way,

> Jim noted, he was removing sources of moisture, which mold thrives

> on.

>

> " The best way to prevent household mold is to control moisture. If

> the moisture problem is cured, the mold won't come back, " he said.

>

> Molds come in a variety of colors and textures — usually accompanied

> by a musty smell — and are often located behind or underneath

> household materials such as sheet rock, carpet and ceiling tiles.

> The Minnesota Department of Health explains these hazardous fungi

> need only moisture and nutrients to find a suitable place to grow,

> and they multiply by producing tiny spores which spread easily

> through the air – the invisible cause of many sensitive peoples'

> irritation. Several recommended steps for removing indoor mold

> include identifying and fixing a moisture problem, drying all wet

> materials, removing all mold-contaminated materials and cleaning and

> disinfecting surfaces.

>

> Jim and Jeanine are thankful they discovered the mold when they did.

> Despite having to essentially remodel Jim's unfinished basement and

> install an air exchanger to help control indoor moisture, the mold

> was gone by their wedding day and they said their efforts were well

> worth it.

>

>

> Rebekah Dahlberg can be reached at editor@....

>

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